Fourche Creek Wetlands
About Fourche Creek Wetlands •
Fourche FAQ •
Non-point Pollution and Threats •
Water Quality •
Animals and Plants •
Land and People •
Watershed Profile •
Definitions
About Fourche Creek Wetlands
What is Fourche Creek?
One of the nation's largest urban wetlands,
Fourche Creek drains 108,000 acres of Little Rock and surrounding
areas. Its meandering channel braids and connects numerous
wetlands, the largest being more than 2,500 acres.
Fourche Creek drains the majority of Little Rock's surface
water and storm water. During typical storm events, Fourche
Creek's wetlands can store nearly 1 billion gallons
of water. Its ecological functions include: water purification;
containment and storage of floodwaters; urban noise reduction;
and wildlife habitat accommodation. Because hundreds of acres
of the Fourche Creek wetlands are owned by the City of Little
Rock and managed by Audubon Arkansas and the City Parks and
Recreation Department, the potential for recreational use
as a vast urban park is tremendous.
In many respects, Fourche Creek is an untapped resource, awaiting
discovery and use. However, because of its urban setting and
decades of neglect, its beauty and functions are threatened.
Where is Fourche Creek?
The headwaters of Fourche Creek begin in Saline County near
the intersection of Colonel Glenn Road and Ferndale Cutoff
Road. The Fourche then flows through Pulaski County until
it empties into the Arkansas River. In Pulaski County, Fourche
Creek flows through several city parks beginning with Otter
Creek Park then in succession through Hindman Park, Benny
Craig Park, borders Interstate and Gillam Parks, and finally,
through Remmel Park. The largest continuous wetland portion
of the creek is bound by University Avenue and Confederate
Boulevard on the west and east, and Asher Avenue and 65th
Street on the north and south. Fourche Creek Bottoms can be
seen from I-30, I-430 and I-440.
Many tributaries of Fourche Creek are well known and grace
city parks as well. Rock Creek is the largest and probably
the most familiar. Its headwaters flow through Chenal Valley
in West Little Rock, then through Kanis Park and Boyle Park
before joining Fourche Creek east of University Avenue. Brodie
Creek flows through Brodie Creek Park and Hindman Park before
its confluence with Fourche Creek at Hindman Park. Swaggerty
Creek flows underground until it emerges north of Swaggerty
Creek Park to flow through Interstate Park before emptying
into the Fourche just south of Interstate Park.
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