Pools, lakes, rivers offer cool escape from heat
WESTSIDE — Lakes, pools and rivers are almost synonymous with keeping cool on the west-side of Benton County on these hot and humid July days, and plenty of area residents could be found in the water doing just that.
Public pools like those in Gravette, Decatur and Siloam Springs may be the safest place to enjoy the water and cool down because of lifeguards on duty to help safeguard against accidents and drownings, and the pools have had plenty of patrons on these hot days. Some have enjoyed the diving boards and slides and others have just enjoyed relaxing in the water with family members and friends.
Others opt for local swimming holes in lakes and rivers. Crystal Lake in Decatur has swimmers and waders on most summer afternoons. And Lake La Balladine in Sulphur Springs, fed by the clear waters of Butler Creek, is a favorite swimming hole for local residents. Some dive into the man-made lake from the dam and others off of rocks on the north side of the lake, but many just enjoy wading into the cool waters on hot, sunny afternoons.
Just north of the state line, in Missouri, is the Elk River, popular for float trips. The river, near neighboring Noel, Mo., had no shortage of people along the banks or floating downstream in rafts, kayaks and canoes last week. Entire families spent the hot afternoons floating the river and spending time together in and out of the water to escape the heat.
And just south, similar opportunities were enjoyed in the Illinois River, where people flocked to spend a little time in the cool water or to float down the stream in tubes, rafts, kayaks and canoes.