White Oak Bayou Watershed
The White Oak Bayou watershed is approximately 42 square miles and contains
roughly 1400 acres of wetlands. The watershed is located in Pulaski County with
large areas also occurring within the city limits of both Maumelle and North Little
Rock. The watershed originates in the hills of Camp Robinson where the head
waters flow through mixed hardwood and pine forests consisting of trees such as
short leaf pine, post oak, blackjack oak, and southern red oak. The watershed
also contains mature forest flats of shagbark hickory, cherry bark oak, bur oak,
and loblolly pine. More poorly drained flats are where larger wetlands typically
begin to occur within the watershed and here you will find trees such as willow
oak, green ash, and overcup oak. The channel of White Oak Bayou itself is
where bald cypress and water tupelo can be seen that are so indicative of
southern swamp ecosystems. Beaver activity is very common in the areas along
the bayou and has altered the hydrology in many instances. In areas that have
become inundated with water from beaver activity, it is common to see
shrub/scrub wetlands containing buttonbush, water elm, and black willow. After
winding through these various ecological communities, the bayou eventually drains
into the Arkansas River in the Burns Park area. The diversity of upland/wetland
plant communities, topography, and hydrology found throughout the watershed
contribute to the wildlife and aquatic species diversity and abundance of the
Arkansas River ecosystem. The bayou and associated wetlands also provide other
valuable functions including flood flow alteration, sediment retention, pollutant
removal, and nutrient cycling. The close proximity to residential areas in
Maumelle and North Little Rock, combined with large publicly owned areas
throughout the watershed provide a great opportunity for recreation.
Additionally, the close proximity of the bayou to schools in Maumelle have allowed
for a great educational resource where young people can learn about the
importance of wetlands in general and particularly those found within the White
Oak Bayou watershed.
White Oak Bayou Photos
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The above information courtesy Scott Owen, Wetland Consultants, Inc.
The White Oak Bayou watershed is approximately 42 square miles and contains
roughly 1400 acres of wetlands. The watershed is located in Pulaski County with
large areas also occurring within the city limits of both Maumelle and North Little
Rock. The watershed originates in the hills of Camp Robinson where the head
waters flow through mixed hardwood and pine forests consisting of trees such as
short leaf pine, post oak, blackjack oak, and southern red oak. The watershed
also contains mature forest flats of shagbark hickory, cherry bark oak, bur oak,
and loblolly pine. More poorly drained flats are where larger wetlands typically
begin to occur within the watershed and here you will find trees such as willow
oak, green ash, and overcup oak. The channel of White Oak Bayou itself is
where bald cypress and water tupelo can be seen that are so indicative of
southern swamp ecosystems. Beaver activity is very common in the areas along
the bayou and has altered the hydrology in many instances. In areas that have
become inundated with water from beaver activity, it is common to see
shrub/scrub wetlands containing buttonbush, water elm, and black willow. After
winding through these various ecological communities, the bayou eventually drains
into the Arkansas River in the Burns Park area. The diversity of upland/wetland
plant communities, topography, and hydrology found throughout the watershed
contribute to the wildlife and aquatic species diversity and abundance of the
Arkansas River ecosystem. The bayou and associated wetlands also provide other
valuable functions including flood flow alteration, sediment retention, pollutant
removal, and nutrient cycling. The close proximity to residential areas in
Maumelle and North Little Rock, combined with large publicly owned areas
throughout the watershed provide a great opportunity for recreation.
Additionally, the close proximity of the bayou to schools in Maumelle have allowed
for a great educational resource where young people can learn about the
importance of wetlands in general and particularly those found within the White
Oak Bayou watershed.
White Oak Bayou Photos
