In partnership with the St. Francis Lake Association, the Arkansas Water Trails, and the City of Trumann, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) celebrated the dedication of the St. Francis Sunken Lands Water Trails on May 5, 2021.
Governor Asa Hutchinson offered some inspiring words about the value of outdoor recreation to the lives of Arkansans, saying, “The tourism industry is on the rise in Arkansas! The new St. Francis Sunken Lands Water Trails will be a major attraction in Poinsett county, bringing people in to take in this unique view of Arkansas’s natural history.”
On behalf of the St. Francis Lake Association, Dr. Neal Vickers recognized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager Jairus Stroupe and late USACE Retiree Regina Kuykendoll Cash for their efforts in maintaining the St. Francis Basin. Those efforts are now responsible for allowing the river to be appropriately regulated within the sunken lands.
The New Madrid earthquakes that formed the Sunken Lands, located between Trumann and Marked Tree, Arkansas, occurred in 1811 and 1812. These earthquakes dropped the ground along this part of the St. Francis River by six to eight feet over an area of about 30 miles.
Now, a vast area of walking land, the St. Francis Sunken Lands Water Trails provide enthusiasts with three different access points to explore more than 10 miles of river trails. The water trails offer incomparable opportunities to see wildlife, learn about history, and experience a landscape like none other.
Congratulations to the Memphis District Team, who, in partnership with the St. Francis Lake Association, the Arkansas Water Trails, the City of Trumann, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), made this dedication possible. This project is a definite win for the state of Arkansas as well as the Mississippi Valley Division and the Memphis District!