Ouachita River rising at Thatcher Lock and Dam, Moro Bay

EL DORADO — Flood stage at the H.K. Thatcher Lock and Dam on the Ouachita River near Calion is 79 feet. On Friday, at 3 p.m., the National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, listed the water level at 82.77 feet – and rising.

The river at Thatcher is expected to crest at 86 feet on Wednesday, as the river continues to get run-off from creeks, streams, lakes and other bodies of water that are overflowing due to recent excessive rains in Arkansas.

“River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. The reliability of the forecast is based on current and forecast river, weather and reservoir conditions. Forecasts for the Ouachita River at Thatcher Lock and Dam are issued routinely year-round,” according to the weather service.

In April 1945, the historic crest recorded near the lock and dam area reached an all-time high of 96.30 feet. Recent high crests occurred in January 2016 and Dec. 6, 2015 – 87.30 feet both times, causing some roads to flood which has resulted in the need for some residents along the river to boat from their homes to nearby roads that aren’t underwater.

“The Ouachita River is currently at 78 feet above mean sea level at Moro Bay. Right now the NWS is predicting the river to continue rising before it’s crest about Monday,” Paul Butler, superintendent at Moro Bay State Park, said late Wednesday.

“However, it is still raining (Wednesday) and more rain is in the forecast so at this point how high the river will get and if the park will have to close is still uncertain. The

NWS link shows that the river may get to around 84 feet (NWS predicting 86.9 at Thatcher Lock and Dam up river). That is very close to closing the park,” he said.

“Our campground is already closed due to construction but if the water crosses the road it will prevent access to all areas of the park and may delay construction,” Butler said.

“Visitors planning to visit the park or who have cabin reservations should call the park at 870-4638555 before traveling this coming weekend or visit Arkansasstateparks.com for the latest information. Moro Bay’s water level will be anywhere from two to four feet below the reading at Thatcher. The higher the river level, the greater the difference between Thatcher’s reading and the park’s reading,” Butler explained.

He said when the water level reaches 84 feet at the park, “the water begins crossing the Campground road. The water also crosses the road south of the Visitor Center, closing the ferry and the south bathroom” and at 84.4 feet the “water crosses the road between the cabins and the Visitor Center, closing the park to all without boating access. The cabins appear to be rentable but the alarms on the sewer system go off and they are closed as well. The laundry is accessible only by boat,” Butler said.

According to the National Weather Service website, when the water level reaches 85 feet at Thatcher, “there may be some county roads along the river that are flooded, requiring lengthy detours. River is high and swift, boaters should be very cautious. Access to many oil and gas rigs will be by boat only.”

At 88 feet, “the river is high enough to stop drainage from Calion Lake. Heavy rainfall in the area could cause the lake to rise towards several homes along the shore. Downstream, water could rise into undeveloped areas of the state park at Moro Bay. Widespread flooding of timber,” is predicted.