Little Cypress Creek Upper Watershed Hydrologic and Environmental Study
Eastern Arkansas
The Louisiana Purchase State Park is a 37.5-acre park surrounding the Louisiana Purchase Monument, a granite monument placed at the site of the 5th Principal Meridian Initial Point from which land surveys in Arkansas began. This State Park also is included in the Arkansas System of Natural Areas as a remnant of headwater swamp habitat historically found in this area. Over the past 2 decades, water levels at the Louisiana Purchase State Park have increased as a result of changes within the watershed. These water level increases in turn have resulted in the loss of or stress to less water tolerant species and an overall change in tree species composition in the Park's Natural Area.Based on technical qualifications and experience, FTN was selected to complete a hydrologic and environmental study of the upper watershed of Little Cypress Creek which contains the Louisiana Purchase Monument State Park. To meet the project goal, which is to restore the natural hydrologic functions and wetlands in the watershed, FTN will
- characterize existing conditions within the watershed,
- characterize historical conditions within the watershed,
- identify possible causes of ecosystem change within the watershed,
- identify land management/restoration alternatives for the upper watershed, and
- develop a watershed restoration/management plan that is based on voluntary landowner incentive and assistance programs.
Because the surrounding land in the upper watershed is in private ownership, public participation and stakeholder involvement will be conducted throughout the life of the project. FTN will initiate community outreach early on in the project and will maintain public communication and participation in the project through public meetings, roundtable meetings, focus group meetings, and newsletters.
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