River guideArkansas
Ouachita River
Compare trips by distance, difficulty and current conditions. Open a trip for its map, directions and planning tools.
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Ouachita River paddle planning
What to verify before you commit.
Water levels
These trips use different stations: USGS 07356000 near Mount Ida for Dragover Day Use and USGS 07359002 at Remmel Dam for the downstream run. Check the Remmel recreation release schedule with Entergy before planning; neither gauge reading is an all-clear.
Route options
Choose between the 2.9-mile west-to-east Dragover Day Use reach and the 5.9-mile Remmel Dam–Rockport Whitewater Park run. They are separate outings with different access and flow checks; each route card keeps its own endpoints, gauge, and hazards.
Difficulty
Ouachita River routes here are marked moderate, so choose the stretch that fits your group and conditions.
Choose a reach · Ouachita River
Two trips, two different flow checks
Dragover Day Use near Mount Ida and Remmel Dam near Malvern are separate paddling areas. Choose the route by its access points and use the gauge and release information for that exact reach.
Dragover Day Use · 2.9 miles
The upper route runs from the west landing to the east landing and is rated Class I–II. USFS confirms the public canoe-launching site; American Whitewater documents the reach and its landings. Check the direct USGS gauge near Mount Ida and review the USFS Dragover access information and American Whitewater reach notes.
View Dragover trip detailsRemmel Dam to Rockport · about 5.9 miles
Plan about three to four hours during a recreational release. Check the direct USGS gauge at Remmel Dam, Entergy’s latest lake and flow news, and its published float and access guide. The usual summer release pattern does not confirm operations on your trip date. At the take-out, move to the left bank when I-30 comes into view and use the boat ramp before the bridge; American Whitewater’s reach notes describe the hazards near Rockport Ledge.
View Remmel trip detailsQuick answers
Ouachita River paddling FAQ
Where can I paddle the Ouachita River?
Paddle Today tracks 2 Ouachita River routes across Ouachita Mountains. Compare the route cards on this page, then open an individual route for put-in, take-out, distance, and access notes.
How should I check Ouachita River water levels?
Check the gauge notes for your stretch and its live score where available. This hub uses 2 gauges or gauge references. Planning routes have no live score; check their source guidance and current access notices.
Which Ouachita River route is best today?
Compare current scores where available, along with water level, recent trend, weather, access, and route difficulty. Planning-only cards provide trip information without a live paddling recommendation.