This is a backwater swamp of the Arkansas River. It is a true bald cypress swamp.  These swamps are characteristic of large river systems, particularly oxbow lakes that form when river meanders are cut off from the main river channel. Some of the things you can see from some trails: Hydrology:  strong water marks on the trees, standing water, some sediment                             deposits on the vegetation near the trail. Vegetation: bald cypress (most trees)           buttonbush (very common shrubs—they are not blooming)           smartweed (growing in water below bald cypress—not blooming,                                   but it is growing THICK in the water)           soft rush (tall, 3’ or so, spiky dark green in flower)           India pinks (red tubular flowers with yellow tips—growing under                              large clump of honeysuckle just at beginning of trail, on right). Further down trail: cedar elm (small leaves with lots of teeth along the edges, rough when you run your fingers backwards on the leaves).  There is quite a bit near the trail. Maumelle Valley Wetland Photos                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Jim Narey, Director Planning & Zoning