After weeks of suspended flows during one of the region’s driest stretches in recent memory, paddlers and tubers finally have something to celebrate heading into the holiday weekend: recreational water releases from Remmel Dam are back on.
Entergy Arkansas announced this week that normal weekend recreational releases have resumed on the Ouachita River below Remmel Dam, restoring one of Central Arkansas’s favorite summer traditions right in time for the Fourth of July. The company had scaled back releases in May as part of its drought contingency plan, a move aimed at conserving water in Lake Ouachita while the region sat in the grip of severe to extreme drought.
Why the Releases Were Paused
As Arkansas Outside reported back in May, Entergy suspended full-generation recreational flows, along with all scheduled special releases, after Lake Ouachita’s level fell roughly two and a half feet below its target. The pause covered scheduled weekend recreational flows as well as special whitewater and training releases, and was carried out under Entergy’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-approved Drought Contingency Plan, which the company develops in coordination with federal, state, and local partners.
The lake serves as the fuel source for Entergy’s hydroelectric system, and conserving water there helps ensure enough generation capacity remains available for peak summer electricity demand.
What’s Changed
Blake Hogue, Entergy Arkansas’s lakes manager, said recent conservation efforts have paid off enough to allow a return to normal scheduling. According to Hogue, Lake Ouachita has climbed back above its daily target, which allows crews to resume normal generation flow scheduling.
That’s good news for anyone hoping to float, paddle, or tube the river this weekend, but it comes with a caveat. Hogue was clear that the broader drought picture hasn’t fully turned around, and the region isn’t out of the woods yet. Paddlers should treat this as a return to normal weekend releases, not a signal that water is unlimited for the rest of the summer.
What to Expect on the River
For anyone planning a trip, the basics of the float haven’t changed:
- Release schedule: Weekend recreational releases generally run from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with at least three hours of scheduled flow each day.
- Put-in: The public boat ramp near Remmel Dam, 170 Remmel Dam Road in Malvern. Enter through the gate just past the Remmel Dam operations entrance, it closes nightly at 10 p.m.
- Take-out: The Ouachita River Whitewater Park at 904 Riverview Drive in Malvern, near Rockport Ledge.
- Float time: Typically three to four hours, depending on conditions and how often you stop. The route is about 5 miles and offers several gravel bars for resting or lunch, though visitors should steer clear of posted private property.
- Plan your shuttle: The put-in and take-out are only about 15 minutes apart by car, but you’ll still want a second vehicle staged at the take-out or a shuttle service arranged before you launch.
- Timing matters: Aim to launch no later than about 3 p.m. Waiting too long could leave you walking sections of the river after releases end around 5 p.m.
- Parking: Avoid areas marked with red paint near the dam, those are reserved for emergency access, and unauthorized vehicles may be towed.
As always, releases can change on short notice due to weather or operational needs, so check the Life on the Lakes Facebook page before you head out.
Know Before You Go
Flows around 3,500–4,000 cfs are generally considered a comfortable level for recreational floating; anything higher gets swift and can bring hazards like submerged obstacles, so it pays to check conditions rather than assume every release weekend looks the same. The current is fastest in the middle of the channel, while logs, brush, and trees along the banks can snag tubes and boats. And regardless of experience level, wear a life jacket, it’s the simplest safety step on the river.
With the holiday weekend here and the dam back on its normal schedule, it’s a good time to dust off the cooler, grab a tube or a paddle, and get back on one of Arkansas’s favorite float trips. Just keep an eye on the drought outlook, Entergy has made clear that if dry conditions return, so could the restrictions.
You can also check releases and other information at the Entergy Hydroelectric Operations website.
Here is a short video from a float in 2023:
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
