Does Arkansas Have A Water Shortage in 2024?

Does Arkansas Have A Water Shortage

Yes, Arkansas is experiencing water shortages. Aging infrastructure and staffing shortages are putting a strain on small towns’ ability to keep water flowing. Decreased precipitation and rising temperatures in mid to late summer can lead to periods of water scarcity.

As of December 26, 2023, Arkansas has moderate to extreme drought conditions from central into southeast Arkansas. Heavy pumping has caused the quality of water from some aquifers to decline, especially in southern and eastern Arkansas.

Drought in Arkansas

In general, there is ample water for agriculture, industry, transportation, municipal systems, and recreation. However, during mid to late summer, decreased precipitation and rising temperatures can lead to periods of water scarcity.

Does Arkansas have a lot of water?

In Arkansas, there are on average 71 billion gallons of water flowing in rivers, 4.8 trillion gallons in lakes and 200 trillion gallons in the ground. Our state is abundant with water resources and much of our economy depends on it. It is estimated Arkansans use 157 gallons of water every day.

Where does Arkansas get its drinking water?

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. We receive our water supply from two surface water sources, Lake Winona and Lake Maumelle.

Is Arkansas in a drought?

Check out the latest conditions below. In the picture: There were moderate drought (D1) conditions along the Missouri border, with a moderate to extreme drought (D1 to D4) from central into southeast Arkansas on 12/26/2023. In the picture: Drought conditions as of 12/26/2023.

How good is Arkansas water?

For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2021 – March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Does Arkansas have good water quality?

Under normal conditions, the drinking water supplied to your home is safe. It is treated to meet state and federal requirements and is regularly monitored.

Does Arkansas have hard or soft water?

Arkansas has one of the lowest averages for hard water in the country at 38 PPM, according to the USGS water hardness measures, Some examples of soft water cities are Little Rock with 26 PPM and Fayetteville with a hardness level of 27 PPM.

Is the Arkansas River used for drinking water?

Many Oklahomans rely on rivers and lakes in the Arkansas River Basin for drinking water, crop irrigation and hydroelectric power.

What is the water aquifer under Arkansas used for?

The Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer accounts for approximately 94 percent of all groundwater used in the State, and the aquifer is used primarily for irrigation purposes.

What year was the worst drought in Arkansas?

1930–1931
Arkansas’s worst drought of the twentieth century took place in 1930–1931. Twenty-three states across the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys and into the mid-Atlantic region were caught in its grip.

What is the wettest year on record for Arkansas?

Heavy rains can produce totals in excess of 10 inches. Winter and spring are the wettest seasons. Since comprehensive record keeping began in 1895, the driest year was 1963, with a statewide average of 32.8 inches of precipitation, and the wettest was 2009, with 72.2 inches.

Does Arkansas have a serious groundwater depletion problem?

Groundwater levels in Arkansas, especially in the Delta, are declining at critical levels due to agricultural and industrial needs and are not being naturally replenished quickly enough.

Does Arkansas have clean water?

There are water quality problems both with ground-water and surface-water sources in Arkansas. In some areas the quality of water from some aquifers has declined because of heavy pumping especially in southern and eastern Arkansas.

Where is the bluest water in Arkansas?

To find some of the clearest water in Arkansas, you’ll need to travel through the scenic Ouachita Mountains and visit Lake Catherine State Park. The drive is excellent, the mountains are lovely, and Lake Catherine is an incredibly scenic spot for recreation, but your real destination is Falls Creek Falls.

Can you drink Arkansas tap water?

Health Department Drinking Water in Arkansas is Safe / Public News Service.

Is it legal to float the Arkansas River?

The Arkansas River is a public waterway. We ask that you do your part to maintain its scenic beauty by always packing out what you pack in – and then some. Arkanoe provides everything you need for a safe and enjoyable canoe or kayaking experience including paddles, life vests, boats and shuttle.

Can you swim in the Arkansas River?

Officials in most states say the Arkansas River is not safe to swim in. Many cities along its banks, including Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Witchita, Kansas actually have bans on body contact with the water. This is to protect people from the harmful contaminants in the river.

Can you float down the Arkansas River?

The Arkansas River is the most popular whitewater rafting river in the United States. Every year commercial river outfitters guide more than 175,000 guests down the upper sections of the river, offering everything from scenic float trips to class V rafting adventures.