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TRIP-AT-A-GLANCE: Lower Ouachita River (Remmel Dam to WW Park)
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DATE / TIME
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9/8/2025
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PUT-IN
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Remmel Dam
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TAKE-OUT
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Ouachita River Whitewater Park (Malvern)
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GAGE
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6'
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FLOW / DISCHARGE
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3120 CFS
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AIR TEMPERATURE
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79°F - 82°F - felt delightful on the water
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PRECIPITATION
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None
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WIND
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an occasional slight breeze
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PARTICIPANTS
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Sam Reyna, Duane Hecklesberg and Kent Walters
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VESSLE TYPES
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Liquid Logic Remix XP9, Jackson Karma and Dagger Katana
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CLOUDS
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Clear
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Paddling MILES
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5.5 miles
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Duane, Kent and Sam, ready to go (Photo credit: tripod and self-timer on iPhone)
This was a nice day with a dam release, so we took advantage. After a quick shuttle shuffle at the take-out, we drove up to the put-in and prepared our kayaks. This took some faith, as the river was pretty low. When we were all ready to go, the water had not risen at all. Finally, after we ate our snacks and jabbered for a while, the sirens came on, and the water started rising – very quickly. No water was pouring over the dam, so we assumed it was all about power generation today and the turbines were discharging under water.
Kent and Duane at the put-in beach (Photo credit: Sam Reyna)
Duane enjoying the peace
Sam in his brand new kayak
We went over a few ledges and through a few rock gardens on our trip downstream. Wildlife was limited to geese, turtles, kingfishers, fish and great blue herons.
I’ll let the photos and their captions tell the rest of the story . . .
Sam putting his new kayak through its paces
Duane taking a break before dealing with the rocks in the background
Sam sneaking up on a great blue heron (standing in water to the left and ahead of Sam)
Sam getting dunked at the whitewater park
Sam bobbing up after his dunking
Rocks near the take-out
By the way, for those who might be interested, here is what a dam releases look like on a gage chart:
Our route
LESSONS LEARNED:
Duane says it’s a good thing to have a spray skirt just to keep the paddle from dripping into your lap. It’s also handy for the drops that push water into the cockpit.
Kent Walters, Author