The White River runs along the eastern side of Fayetteville and is approximately 722 miles long, running from its source near the community of Boston in eastern Madison County to its mouth on the Mississippi River.
It is the 17th longest river in the United States, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The upper tributaries — the Main Fork, also referred to as the East Fork; the Middle Fork; and the West Fork — come together in eastern Fayetteville, the Main Fork and Middle Fork at the eastern end of Lake Sequoyah and the West Fork joining just below Lake Sequoyah Dam.
Other major Arkansas tributaries of the White River include Bayou des Arc, Beaver Creek, Black River, Buffalo National River, Cache River, Crooked Creek, James River, Kings River, Little North Fork, Little Red River, North Fork River, Roaring River, Spring River, Swan Creek and War Eagle Creek.
Early Spanish and French maps referred to it as the Rio Blanca and Riviere Blanche, respectively.
Lakes
Five human-made lakes along the river have provided flood control, recreational uses, drinking water and electrical generation, listed from highest on river to lowest:
- Lake Sequoyah, dam finished 1961
- Beaver Lake, dam finished 1966
- Table Rock Lake, dam finished 1958
- Lake Taneycomo, dam finished in 1913
- Bull Shoals Lake, dam finished in 1963
Tributary Impoundments
Two tributaries also have impoundments:
- Norfork Lake on the North Fork River of the White, finished in 1944
- Greers Ferry Lake on the Little Red River, finished in 1962
Locks and Dams
To improve 19th century navigation of the river for steamboats and other watercraft, 10 locks and dams were planned on the White River between Batesville and Buffalo. Only three of the 10 were built, the expansion of railroads by the beginning of the 20th century cut into the need for river transportation and the other seven locks and dams were never built.
Locations
- Lock and Dam No. 1 is at Batesville.
- Lock and Dam No. 2 is northwest of Locust Grove.
- Lock and Dam No. 3 is northeast of Pleasant Grove.