Lakegoers warned of low water levels
HOT SPRINGS — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is advising boaters to be careful on Arkansas lakes as drought conditions have lowered water levels, and foresters said outdoor burning should be avoided to reduce the risk of wildfires.
The Corps said water levels at Lake Greeson, DeGray Lake and Lake Ouachita are falling because of recent high temperatures, little rainfall and hydroelectric production. Officials said they encourage boaters to have a designated lookout while traveling.
“A lot of the shoreline is exposed, and a lot of [material] tops either just above or just below the surface. Most of these hazards are marked, but it still takes the extra caution to maneuver through these obstacles,” said Brian Westfall, a natural resources specialist with the Lake Ouachita project management office.
The local electric utility said recent hot weather required it to produce more power, which lowered lake levels more than expected. Milder temperatures should help keep lake levels steadier moving forward, as water won’t be needed for hydroelectric purposes, said Ted Smethers, a senior technical support specialist for Entergy Arkansas.
Meanwhile, more than fourfifths of the state is under some form of drought, according to last week’s U.S. Drought Monitor report. Forecasters said it could be the weekend before parts of Arkansas see major rainfall.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission said southern Arkansas has an “extreme” fire danger, while northern Arkansas has a high risk. Only 14 of Arkansas’ 70 counties have not declared a burn ban.
South of Little Rock on Monday, about 15 acres of woodland burned after a tire fire spread. Seven fire departments responded and the Arkansas Forestry Commission dispatched two bulldozers and two air tankers. Three cars and a barn were destroyed, the agency said.
On Tuesday, a squirrel sitting on an electric power pole caused a small grass fire in Polk County, emergency officials said.
According to a post on Facebook, the squirrel shorted out an electric transformer on Gardenia Lane south of Potter, causing “hot sparks [to fall] on very dry grass.”
The Potter Rural Volunteer Fire Department and the Arkansas Forestry Commission contained the fire, which encompassed an area of about 1 acre.