226 Geographical Notices. 
Thence to Fort Smith, = river is described by Capt. Bell, 
who explored it in 1820. e bluffs here approach close to the 
river bed. Ravines mie more abundant and like the river 
banks are well wooded. The water becomes slightly brackish 
from the saline springs near the right bank. Below the Cimma- 
ron the river loses its pale clay hue and becomes reddish. Fort 
Gibson marks the head of navigation, beyond which the river, in 
the remaining 642 miles, traverses a fertile and settled region. 
“The width of the Arkansas undergoes great variations. Near the 
mountains it does not exceed 150 feet. It gradually increases to about 
mile, as it traverses the sandy desert. After entering the hilly and fer- 
tile region it varies from 1000 to 2000 feet 
aeatee depth of the Arkansas also varies greatly i in different parts of its 
Throughout the prairie region it averages about two or three 
feet exclusive of shoals, but there are seasons when the water entirely 
disappears, being absor y the immense beds of sand in which its 
thence to Fort Gi Sa one foo ot. 
The range of the river between low and high water is about 45 feet at 
Napoleon; 40 feet at South bend; 35 feet at Little Rock; 25 feet at 
Fort Smith ; 10 feet at Fort Gibson, and still less at points above. bie 
numbers do’ not represent the ee ranges, although they are ™ 
ne than those that usually oc aid 
here are generally three saa rises in the Arkansas. As observet 
be Colonel Charles Thomas, U.S. Army, who served at Fort Gibsom 
many years, they are as follows: One usually begins in February, owing 
vs the winter rains, and lasts, on an average, about fifteen days. ‘a 
ext—the principal rise in the year—is occasioned by the melting $0 penton 
: in the mountains and the late spring or early summer rains. 
n May and June, and continues into July, and sometimes into Au og 
The river generally keeps up, between these two o rises, some one OF y 
feet above its lowest stage. The last rise is in N tg produced 
the late autumn rains, and lasts from ten to twenty day ha 
teamboats from three to four feet draught can tee sal ns ne 
steamers as far up as the wants of the military service hav A 
Steamers of eight feet draught have reached Fort Smith, but i rettl 
- during the e same rise is not certain. The river is gener rally v very low 8 de 
the Nov o 
The greatest flood of the Aveotiaa n record occurred in 1833. acne 
thorities differ as to its pont — “ Little Rock, but the a si 
th 
two feet.” 
