November 2, 2023 Millwood Lake Dam

Road Trip Day!  YEA!

We wanted to check out a few of the areas around the Millwood Dam so away we went!

“Millwood Dam, which impounds Millwood Lake on the Little River, was constructed between 1961 and 1966 as part of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) project to control flooding on the lower Red River, into which the Little River empties near the town of Fulton (Hempstead County). The lake created by the dam spills across the borders of four counties—Sevier, Little River, Howard, and Hempstead—and provides a variety of recreational opportunities for southwestern Arkansas. The 3.3-mile-long, earthen Millwood Dam is the longest of its kind in Arkansas.

The dam rises eighty-eight feet above the streambed and impounds a 29,200-acre lake. Timber was left alone within a one-mile stretch of the dam, thus providing an ideal habitat for numerous varieties of fish—especially bass, for which Millwood Lake is famous. Within the lake are 20,000 acres of submerged timber, which provides habitat to numerous species of fish, birds, and mammals. Millwood Lake provides drinking water to a number of nearby communities, including Texarkana (Miller County). Companies such as Domtar, a paper and pulp mill, use water from the lake for their operations.

Millwood Lake is also known for housing the 1,380-pound alligator, which was caught in the lake in 2012.”

1380 pound alligator – WOW!

Our first stop was the bird viewing area on the Bluff:

From another lookout area – our campground was on the right.

Lots of water:

The road and railroad crossing the dam plus the lower road on the other side of the dam.  There was also a campground there.

The other side of the dam:

The outflow:

Looking downstream:

These birds were just waiting for the fish!

The three tenors – LOL!:

He was intent on watching something:

There are four birds in this picture – this truly is a birder’s paradise:

Hanging around downstream:

Yikees!!!

No, I did not see any alligators.  I did not want to see the 1380 pound one either!

The stairs end in water.  You cannot see it here but there is a large cement platform at the bottom of the stairs under water:

It truly is flowing fast!

The storm that came thru earlier in the week dumped over 5 inches of water upstream.  I am sure that is why the lake is so high.

Flowers on Beard’s Lake – downstream from the dam:

Beard’s Lake:

This was part of Millwood Steamboat Landing – although much of it is under water now.  Check out the alligator sign:

  

We made a side trip to Ashdown to pick up a few things and headed home.  I was able to get this shot of our RV in the campground from the dam.  What a great site!

Nice enough for a campfire tonight – steak and potatoes – YUM!

The sunset begins:

  

As I got closer to the water, I saw this guy who joined me for the sunset.

Even he is amazed:

What a wonderful day!

This campground is one of my top 20 for scenery.  We would love to stay longer but it is booked for the weekend – Bummer..

Tomorrow we head to Texas so stay tuned and enjoy today.

 

November 1, 2023 Travel to Millwood Lake in Arkansas

Happy November Everyone!

We were up and out early this morning because we had a long day ahead of us.

It was quite chilly and there was frost..  BRRRR..

Past the clock in Hernando Square:

And heading to Memphis – The traffic – OH MY!

Into Tennessee:

Pass the Mississippi Pyramid Landmark – that is now Bass Pro Shop.  I have pictures of this landmark every time we went this way – LOL!:

Crossing the Mississippi Bridge:

Into Arkansas:

Oh! the Mighty Mississippi – we are officially in the West:

And the landscape flattens out:

But the traffic continues:

Past farms:

And granaries:

Many lakes and rivers:

A slight area with no traffic – and lots of trees lining the highway:

AHHHH!  We are off the interstate.  Nice two lane roads lined with trees:

Past cows:

Past horses:

Past goats:

And we landed!

We are staying at Beard’s Bluff Park on Millwood Lake (near Ashdown, Arkansas).  I was able to get a site on the lake for two nights (we are blessed!).  Oh the view!

The view from our little patio:

This is also an Army Corp of Engineers Park.  With our Senior Access Pass, it is only $7.50/night!  Water and electric is included – WOW!  We love the ACOE Parks.  Very reasonable in beautiful settings!

Notice all the water in the lake – it is very full!  Once we set up, we took a ride around the dam – will have pictures tomorrow.  We also checked out Ashdown.  Small, cute town.

The sunset was beautiful as well as the glow after the sunset!

 

We will do a little more exploring tomorrow so stay tuned and enjoy today!

A side note on phone and internet.  We both have Verizon cell phones and can do a hot spot when necessary.  We also have a MiFi from AT&T that is used exclusively for internet.

The last three places we camped, we had internet thru the MiFi but no cell service or Verizon internet.  Very strange because we never had that problem before.

For those of you who are FMCA members, we have the AT&T MiFi thru them – reasonable rate and unlimited data.  (If I could get a good booster for my home/property, I think I would get another just for home.)

So we have been able to get texts over the past week but phone calls when we get into town.   Just an FYI.

Until tomorrow….

 

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled:  332 Miles (Long Day)

Mississippi: Wheeler Road; US-51; TN-304; I-55  

Tennessee: I-55; I-40

Arkansas: I-40; I-440; I-30; US-278; AR-73; AR-355; AR-32

October 27–October 31, 2023 Hernando Point in Mississippi

We had a long travel day today so we were on the road pretty early.

Still a few hills and valleys:

COTTON!: – I was so excited to see the field.  It looked like fluffy snow:

Traffic, Traffic, and more traffic – my Andy did an Awesome Job Driving!:

Into Mississippi:

Off the interstate, heading to the park.

It was a long day of travel.  We made it here late afternoon and it was HOT AND HUMID.  We are in the south – LOL!

Even used the AC for three days!

We are staying at Hernando Point Campground on Arkabutla Lake near Hernando, MS.  We are about 40 miles south of Memphis.  But such a difference in scenery.

Our site:

Very spacious:

However, there is no lake – just a river.  I will have more pictures below.

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled:  346 Miles (Long Day)

Routes Traveled:

Tennessee: US-321; US-441; I-40; US-127; US-70; TN-53; I-40; I-840; I-40; I-240;

Mississippi: I-240; I-55; TN-304; US-51; Wheeler Road

We had planned on spending three nights here and then heading west.  However, there was a big storm coming thru on Monday that was bringing rain, flooding and colder weather.  A few of the places we planned to stay had snow in the forecast.

SOOO, I spent Saturday rearranging our trip to go on a more southerly route and booked two more nights here.  Thank God we are able to change our plans.  I usually only make reservations for a week or so out so if we feel like doing something different, we have that ability. (Yes, I know..I am taking a chance but there is always a Walmart to overnight!)

On Sunday, we decided to take a little road trip to see the area and maybe even find the dam.

I love these signs…

The first time we saw this sign was at the end of a 5 mile gravel road.  It sat near the top of the levee so we stopped!  I got out to follow the road to see if the campground was still there.  It was and we continued.  What a hoot!

I wrote about it here: https://thehitzels.blogspot.com/2007/05/may-9-2007-travel-thru-illinois-part-2.html

Then we saw this sign.  Now beyond that SHOULD be the lake:

And here is the boat launch – Yikees!

No lake here:

Another marina area and the beach:

The Arkabutla Dam was constructed after 1942 to help in flood control of the Lower Mississippi Delta Region.

But.. On May 10, 2023, the United States Army Corps of Engineers warned residents to stay away from the reservoir as "potential breach conditions" had been found at the dam.  A “sinkhole” developed near the outlet on the south side of the dam.  At that time, the lake was at 228’ and they were trying to get it down to 210-feet.

The lake is very low now because although some emergency repairs were done, it is not complete.

We did find the dam and surprising we were able to drive across it – strange????

The dam:

Arkabutla Lake:

“In 1942, the U.S. Government moved the town of Coldwater and approximately 700 residents, at a cost of $250,000, to its present location 1-mile (1.6 km) south of the original site. Today a monument dedicated to the old town of Coldwater, which was flooded and submerged by creation of the dam and reservoir, stands just west of the Coldwater exit off Interstate 55. A few remnants of the old town are visible, but a majority of the site remains underwater year round.”

We could not find the monument or the town. 

A sad piece of news since the lake has been lowered:

“Officials report that “widespread looting” of Native American burial objects, disturbance and desecration of human remains and theft of artifacts happened in the overnight hours between June 12-15, 2023.”

As of now, they have not found the artifacts taken or who desecrated the site.

Another boat launch – sad.

I could not find any information on if or when the dam will be repaired. 

On our way back, we found these two beautiful creatures:

Love the look – LOL!

It was a nice day out!

That night the clouds rolled in and the rain started.  It continued to rain thru Monday and the temps started to dip.

Friday was air conditioning and Monday was heaters.  What a change.

Monday, we finished our laundry and Tuesday resupplied.

I am glad we had more down time especially with having to rearrange our schedule.  But I am ready for warmer temperatures.

So tomorrow we continue our travels west and south.  Arkansas and Texas had the same storm but forecast is for warming temperatures this weekend so that is where we are heading.