It was a clear and calm morning when we launched from the private boat ramp onto the clear waters of Lake Ouachita.  This particular trip was sponsored by DLAMN, the Diamond Lakes Arkansas Master Naturalists as a geology education field trip.

Kent on the way to Crawdad Island (Photo Credit: Sam Reyna).

The water was very clear.  We could see the boulders on the lake bottom to about 20 feet.  We paddled almost a mile and made a quick stop at Crawdad Island to make sure everyone was in good shape before starting on the longer segment of the trip to observe the features of Whirlpool Rock.

In the 1.7 miles to Whirlpool Rock, we saw a belted kingfisher and a bald eagle, and heard something big churning up the undergrowth on a nearby shore.

Whirlpool Rock is the top of a very interesting formation which plunges over 200 feet to the location where the pre-dam Ouachita River made a sharp left turn, presumably where it generated a whirlpool at certain water levels in former times.  The photos continue the story of this landmark.

Mary in front of the Whirlpool Rock outcropping

Sam approaching the Sphinx-like paw of Whirlpool Rock

Straight-on view of the rock

Looking down the channel where we came from (Photo Credit: Mary Harrison)

Lunch back at Crawdad Island (Photo Credit: Mary Harrison)

Sam, Susan, Linda and Kent learning about some Crawdad Island geology (Photo Credit: DLAMN Dan)

LESSONS LEARNED:

Sunglasses are good to have on a sunny day.

The Author, Kent Walters

Link to Photo Album