LITTLE ROCK — Dozens of campsites at Lake Ouachita and two other lakes managed by the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be closed this winter.
The Corps of Engineers said the changes are aimed at providing better service and conserving money for the peak summer season.
The following campgrounds will be open year-round effective Nov. 1: Lake Ouachita - Tompkins Bend; DeGray Lake - Shouse Ford; Lake Greeson - Narrows Dam Area, Kirby Landing.
The following campgrounds will be closed from Nov. 1 to May 15 and from Sept. 15-30. The campgrounds will be open May 15-Sept. 14: LakeOuachita - Brady Mountain, Crystal Springs, Joplin, Denby Point, Twin Creek, Little Fir, Washita, Irons Fork, Buckville, Cedar Fourche, Rabbittail and Lena Landing; DeGray Lake - Alpine Ridge, Caddo Drive, Edgewood, Iron Mountain, Ozan Point, Point Cedar and Arlie Moore; Lake Greeson - Cowhide Cove, Laurel Creek, Bear Creek, Self Creek, Arrowhead Point, Star of the West, Pikeville, Parker Creek and Rock Creek.
The following campgrounds will be closed Nov. 1 through Sept. 30: Lake Ouachita - Big Fir; DeGray Lake - Lenox Marcus; Lake Greeson - Buckhorn
Crystal Springs, at Lake Ouachita, will be closed, the Corps of Engineers said in a press release.
Among Class A campsites,67 at Denby Point, 64 at Joplin, 74 at Crystal Springs and 74 at Brady Mountain will be closed this winter.
"The changes are being made considering all factors including balancing campgrounds available, seasonal Corps personnel, contractor services, maintenance requirements and service to the public. This was based on existing data," said Rick Dwyer, Ouachita Project Management Office.
"This plan was developed after careful consideration of all possible alternatives. Reducing levels of service is never a desirable course of action; however, this plan provides a balanced approach that sustains service quality to the public within our available funding for these Lakes," the Corps of Engineers said in a news release.
Arkansas, Pages 14 on 10/30/2007