Field Studies for Wednesday September 27, 2006.

Each field Study will be filled on a first come basis.

If the minimum number required for a study is not met, it will be cancelled and your payment refunded.

Ouachita National Forest Fisheries Tour
No cost

Come join the fisheries and hydrology staff of the Ouachita National Forest for a day in the headwaters of the Little Missouri River to see and discuss riparian management to protect water quality and fisheries; recreational use and management of streams; stream crossing/fish passage problems, research results and remedies and participate in a "stream walk" where we'll kick up a few bugs and fish and do some stream electrofishing.  Bring your binoculars for bird watching and a pair of tennis shoes or your wading boots for getting into the stream.  Box lunches for a streamside lunch will be available from the hotel.  The destination is about an hour and a half from the hotel and we'll have you back by mid to late afternoon.  A minimum of 10 participants with a maximum of 25 participants.

Hot Springs National Park Tour
No cost

Hot Springs Reservation, now a National Park, was set aside by the United States Congress in 1832 for the expressed purpose of preserving and protecting its’ unique geothermal springs.  Hot Springs actually predates Yellowstone by forty years.  The park’s enabling legislation charges park managers to continue to provide these thermal waters to the public in an unaltered state for personal consumption throughout perpetuity.  No other National Park Service area has such a mandate. 

Throughout its now 174-year history, the park has undergone several distinct periods of evolutionary growth and history.  The City of Hot Springs literally grew up around the Park.  Plumbing systems and their attendant bathhouse complexes were built, razed, and re-constructed in a never-ending cycle.  Even today’s fifth or sixth generation capture and collection system is a confusing combination of historic, middle aged, and contemporary piping, junctures, valve bodies, pumps, and reservoirs.  All eight remaining bathhouses are aging, nationally registered, historic structures. One of those, the Hale, dates back to the late 1800s.  Six are currently undergoing extensive adaptive reconstruction and the Hale Bathhouse actually sports a “radioactive” foundation.

The park’s Natural Resource Program Manager will provide a walking tour of the Historic District with an attendant discussion of its many and often times unique natural and cultural resources.  The geothermal spring waters contain significant amounts of a suite of naturally occurring radioactive materials.  These radionuclides and their decay progeny have created the need for some very aggressive and challenging management strategies.  The tour will culminate with a visit to the restored Fordyce Bathhouse, now the park’s visitor center.  Time will also be provided for areas of personal interest.  A minimum of 10 participants with a maximum of 25 participants.  No cost.

Striper Fishing on Lake Ouachita
Fee Applies

Come join local striper guides headed up by John T. Hall for a morning of striper fishing on Lake Ouachita.  These guides catch lots of fish.  The usual method for this time of year is using large (8 to 10 inch) shad for bait.  The shad are sometimes put under a balloon for a bobber and the strike can be exciting.  The cost for this trip is $60.00 per person plus a fishing license.  Licenses are available at local dealers or on line.  A nonresident 3-day trip license is $11.00.  A minimum of 4 participants with a maximum of 16 participants.