Floating the Illinois River in Arkansas.

Take a float tour with IRWP and partners to discuss conservation, connectivity, and stormwater conveyance in Northwest Arkansas and learn about how the tributaries of the Illinois River are changing. Gain a better understanding of our water connectivity and see some of the downstream effects of upstream land use in the Illinois River Watershed on October 7th (Rain date October 21st).

We will take with a tour with The Nature Conservancy of the Logan Springs Preserve to learn about the restoration work being done and how this important conservation effort came together. Participants will board their choice of a raft or inflatable kayak. On this quick 3-mile float, we will discuss the connectivity of our water infrastructure in Northwest Arkansas and what stressors our natural stormwater conveyance systems are experiencing. Much of the sedimentation in the creek and in the Illinois River is due to degrading/eroding streambanks. A streamside activity will demonstrate how the composition of the streambed affects the local ecology. We will stop at a restoration project designed by Watershed Conservation Resource Center and their team will show best management practices for restoring degrading streambanks.

Coffee, pastries, and lunch will be provided for participants.

Use the “Google Calendar - ICS” button on the left to add this event to your calendar!

We will cap this event at 35 participants and will prioritize seats for city council members, city and county planning, quorum court, city staff, and regional planning, and will make space for other interests as available.

Email morgan@irwp.org for questions, comments, or ideas.

Agenda:

8:15 AM: Enjoy coffee, pastries, fruit and conversation before the tour begins

8:30 AM: Introduction to Conservation, Connectivity, and Stormwater Conveyance by Leif Kindberg, IRWP

8:50 AM: Conservation at Logan Springs Preserve with Chas McCoy, The Nature Conservancy & Native Plant Discussion with Jake Owens, IRWP

9:50 AM: Load Shuttle for Kayak Park – fill your water bottles and grab a snack! 

10:30 AM: Restoration and Recreation with Travis Chaney, City of Siloam Springs & Jerrid Gelinas, IRWP

10:50 AM: Put in Kayak Park - 37 North leads the tour

On the float ~11:15 AM: Water Quality and the Streambed by Justin Nachtigal, IRWP

On the float ~12:00 PM: Streambanks and the Effects of Our Changing Stormwater Conveyance Needs with Matt Van Eps, Watershed Conservation Resource Center 

12:50 PM: Pull out at Gypsy Camp for lunch 

1:00 PM: Lunch Presentation: The Northwest Arkansas Open Space Plan by Elizabeth Bowen, Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission

1:40 PM: Wrap Up and Shuttle back to Logan Springs

2:00 PM: Arrive to vehicles at Logan Springs