The Oldest Lake In Arkansas Is A Beautiful Piece Of Living History
By Carol Ann Carson|Published June 04, 2019
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
At the start of the Ouachita National Forest resides a special piece of Arkansas history. Lake Nimrod was the first Arkansas project completed by the Corps of Engineers. This lake may not be naturally-made but it’s certainly a treasured gem of the state. Let’s dive right into its history and see how this lake has stood the test of time.
Not every Arkansas treasure has to be natural! Some of the state's man-made features happen to be the best to visit.
It was created by the US Army Corps of Engineers back in 1942. This project was part of the Flood Control Act of 1938. These Flood Acts throughout the 30s-60s authorized construction of levees, dams, and dikes to protect susceptible areas against flooding. Nimrod in particular has a maximum flood storage of 100 billion gallons!
The lake is now a popular place for swimming, boating (especially water skiing), fishing, and even hunting. Huge slab crappie found in the lake bring in fishers from around the country. Duck hunters will especially love the 2,400-acre greentree reservoir.
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Camping is another pastime that keeps the historic lake worthwhile for traveling families.
Recreation Areas developed by the Corps of Engineers have 136 campsites scattered along the lake. There are six different parks to choose from, which you can read about right here.
Lake Nimrod is the perfect balance of interesting history and family fun for your next lakeside adventure.
Designate a weekend for a trip to the lake or have it be one of the stops along this scenic drive.
What’s your favorite thing to do on the lake? Share with us in the comments below!
Some of these captures came from the members of our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
Another fascinating piece of history to view on the water is Arkansas’ oldest stone-cut dam.
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