Heavy snow damaging docks on north Arkansas lakes

HENDERSON — A dock that collapsed under the weight of heavy snow and ice does not pose an immediate contamination risk to Lake Norfork, authorities said Monday.

Henderson Fire Chief Rodney May said the roof of a boat dock collapsed on top of a long row of boats in the Lake Norfork Marina. Several other smaller docks also collapsed after Friday's wintry weather brought heavy snow to much of north Arkansas and a mix of sleet and freezing rain to central Arkansas.

May told The Baxter Bulletin on Monday that there's no evidence of motor fuel on the lake surface.

May said it appears the roof of the large dock crashed down on boats and floatation structures underneath it. After inspecting the site from shore Monday, May said that he believes many of the watercraft underneath the shelter are still afloat.

"It's bad news, but it's good news that it turned out as well as it did. No one's been hurt," May said. "But it's still a touchy situation."

A dock at Charlie's Rainbow Trout Resort on the North Fork River also sank, taking down eight river boats and motors.

Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing on Tuesday, but forecasters said freezing rain is possible on Friday.

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