The National Weather Service in Tulsa says the Arkansas River will crest on the cusp of the new year for the western half of the state, where recent flooding has been most intense.
The river is expected to peak at higher levels than those seen after torrential rains this spring. In places — including Dardanelle — it’s expected to match or exceed the historic flooding in 1990. Here’s what the NWS says about the situation along the river in low-lying parts of Franklin, Logan and Johnson Counties near the Ozark Lock and Dam:
At 370.0 feet, this is the highest stage experienced since the completion of the navigation system in 1969. Highways 309 and 288 northwest of Paris in Logan County are inundated by backwater up Six Mile Creek. Backwater flooding spreads westward into Franklin County. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
In Morrilton, the water will reach 41 feet by New Years Eve; the record crest for that location is 42 feet and it was set in 1927, if that tells you anything.
Water is high in Little Rock, too, but the river isn’t expected to reach major flood stage here.