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25-589: The Boston Mountains ecoregion has been subdivided into two Level IV ecoregions . The ecoregion is mountainous, forested, and underlain by Pennsylvanian sandstone , shale , and siltstone . It is one of the Ozark Plateaus; some folding and faulting has occurred but, in general, strata are much less deformed than in the Ouachita Mountains . Maximum elevations are higher, soils have a warmer temperature regime, and carbonate rocks are much less extensive than in

50-850: A basis for risk analysis , resource management , and environmental study of the continent's ecosystems . In the United States, the EPA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) are the principal federal agencies working with the CEC to define and map ecoregions. Ecoregions may be identified by similarities in geology , physiography , vegetation , climate , soils , land use , wildlife distributions, and hydrology . The classification system has four levels, but only Levels I and III are on this list. Level I divides North America into 15 broad ecoregions; of these, 12 lie partly or wholly within

75-584: A portion of the Salem Plateau just before joining the White River . The Park is home to the state's only elk herd. The upper section of the river in the Ozark National Forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is designated as a National Scenic River and a National Wild River . The Buffalo National River was established by an Act of Congress on March 1, 1972, ending the recurring plans of

100-490: Is low; recreation, logging, and livestock farming are the primary land uses. Water quality in streams is generally exceptional; biochemical, nutrient, and mineral water quality parameter concentrations all tend to be very low. Fish communities are mostly composed of sensitive species; a diverse, often darter-dominated community occurs along with nearly equal proportions of minnows and sunfishes. During low flows, streams usually run clear but, during high flow conditions, turbidity in

125-632: Is the Osage people ’s name for themselves in the Dhegiha Siouan language . Turner Ward Knob (TWK) is the second highest named peak, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) east of Wahzhazhe Summit. Located in western Newton County, Arkansas , its elevation is 2,463 feet (751 m). Nearby, four other unnamed peaks have elevations at or slightly above 2,560 feet (780 m). The other three highest peaks are located 4–5 miles (6.4–8.0 km) south-southwest of Turner Ward Knob along Arkansas Highway 16 . The Boston Mountains are

150-701: The Mulberry River , Lee Creek , Frog Bayou, Big Piney Creek, Illinois Bayou, and the Little Red River . To the south, the Arkansas River valley separates the Boston Mountains from the Ouachita Mountains . In Arkansas, the Boston Mountains are found in the following counties: Boone , Carroll , Cleburne , Conway , Crawford , Franklin , Independence , Johnson , Madison , Newton , Pope , Searcy , Stone , Van Buren , and Washington . In Oklahoma,

175-619: The Ozark Highlands . Physiography is distinct from the Arkansas Valley . Upland soils are mostly Ultisols that developed under oak-hickory and oak-hickory-pine forests . Today, forests are still widespread; northern red oak , southern red oak , white oak , and hickories usually dominate the uplands, but shortleaf pine grows on drier, south- and west-facing slopes underlain by sandstone. Pastureland or hayland occur on nearly level ridgetops, benches, and valley floors. Population density

200-448: The Rockies . The river's current also gives life to well over 300 species of fish, insects, freshwater mussels , and aquatic plants. The Buffalo National River is a popular camping, hiking , canoeing , and fishing destination. Visitors may bring their own canoes or rent from several independent concessioners. Camping is generally allowed throughout the park with the following exceptions:

225-400: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct one or more dams on the river. The National River designation protects natural rivers from industrial uses, impoundments and other obstructions that may change the natural character of the river or disrupt the natural habitat for the flora and fauna that live in or near the river. Three segments totaling 11,978 acres (48.47 km ) were designated

250-488: The 15-mile (24 km) section upriver from Boxley as the Hailstone River. This extremely challenging section of the river is floatable only during periods of high water and should be attempted only by those with solid whitewater skills. Along the upper river, the gradient is steep and the water is fast, leveling and slowing as the river runs its course. The upper section has most of the whitewater rapids to be found along

275-451: The Boston Mountains are found in these counties: Adair , Cherokee , Muskogee , Sequoyah , and Wagoner . List of ecoregions in the United States (EPA) This list of ecoregions in the United States provides an overview of United States ecoregions designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). The CEC

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300-574: The Boston Mountains tends to be greater than in the Ouachitas. Summer flow in many small streams is limited or non-existent but isolated, enduring pools may occur. The Boston Mountains are a physiographic section of the larger Ozark Plateaus province, which in turn is part of the larger Interior Highlands physiographic division. The area is underlain by Pennsylvanian sandstone, shale, and siltstone, where some folding and faulting has occurred. The sandstone beds become thinner with higher shale content in

325-841: The Buffalo National River Wilderness in 1975. At a point about 15 miles (24 km) above the Park boundary in Newton County, Arkansas , the Buffalo River begins as the Main Prong of Big Buffalo Creek. The river flows north through Boxley to Ponca, where it then begins an eastward trek across northern Arkansas to its confluence with the White River on the Marion-Baxter County line. Advanced canoeists and kayakers often refer to

350-769: The Great Lakes-St.Lawrence Forest Region. The corresponding name in Canada for the same ecoregions are the Boreal Shield and the Atlantic Maritime Ecozones. Buffalo National River The Buffalo National River , in Northern Arkansas , was the first National River to be designated in the United States . The Buffalo River is 153 miles (246 km) long. The lower 135 miles (217 km) flow within

375-629: The Hemmed-in-Hollow area, on Big Bluff, in historical structures, on private property within the park, or within 100 feet (30 m) of any trail or watercourse. Camping is also permitted on gravel bars and sand bars along the river. The National Park Service has a number of "developed" campgrounds along the river. The National Park Service headquarters for the Buffalo National River is located in Harrison, Arkansas . In 2012, C&H Hog Farms

400-418: The United States. Fifty Level II regions were created to allow for a narrower delineation of Level I areas. Three level I areas were not subdivided for level 2. Level III subdivides the continent into 182 smaller ecoregions; of these, 104 lie partly or wholly with the United States. Level IV is a further subdivision of Level III ecoregions. Level IV mapping is still underway but is complete across most of

425-684: The United States. For an example of Level IV data, see List of ecoregions in Oregon and the associated articles. The classification system excludes the U.S. state of Hawaii , which is not part of the North American continent. The corresponding CEC ecoregion in Canada is called the Pacific Maritime Ecozone . The corresponding CEC ecoregion in Canada is called the Montane Cordillera Ecozone . The corresponding name in Canada for

450-633: The boundaries of an area managed by the National Park Service , where the stream is designated the Buffalo National River. The river flows through Newton , Searcy , Marion , and Baxter Counties, from west to east. The river originates in the highest part of the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks , flows out onto the Springfield Plateau near the historic community of Erbie, and finally crosses

475-493: The river, and features dramatic karst topography including sink holes and caves , springs , and waterfalls, over 500-foot (150 m) tall sandstone and limestone bluffs, and many rock formations. At one point, a 0.65-mile (1.05 km) hike from the river up a narrow, boxed canyon leads to a 209-foot (64 m) waterfall, Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls , the highest of its kind between the Southern Appalachians and

500-587: The same ecoregion is the Prairies Ecozone . These forests stretch from the Southern Appalachians towards Canada, up to the northern Midwest. For a general description of these forests, refer to Temperate Deciduous Forest . The standard reference is The Deciduous Forest of Eastern North America . The adjoining forests in Canada are generally referred to as the Mixedwood Plains Ecozone or

525-576: The source of rivers and streams that flow out from the mountains in all directions. Within a 3 miles (4,800 m) radius of a point just west of the summits discussed above are located the sources of the White River , the Buffalo River , the Kings River , War Eagle Creek , and Little Mulberry Creek . Other rivers and streams having their headwaters in the Boston Mountains include the Illinois River ,

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550-588: The southwestern part of the Ozark plateau where they are the highest portion of the Ozarks. Summits can reach elevations of just over 2,560 feet (780 m) with valleys 500 feet (150 m) to 1,550 feet (470 m) deep. Wahzhazhe Summit (formerly known as Buffalo Lookout), is the highest point in the Ozarks at 2,561 feet (781 m), and is located in the Boston Mountains, 3.4 miles (5.5 km) east of Pettigrew, Newton County, Arkansas , at N35.8637°, W093.4931°. Wahzhazhe

575-506: The west as the mountains decline in elevation. The range covers an area of 5,770 square miles (14,900 km). The rocks of the region are essentially little disturbed, flat-lying sedimentary layers of the Paleozoic age. The highest ridges and peaks are capped by Pennsylvanian sandstone and shale . The deeply eroded valleys are cut into Mississippian limestones and below that layer Ordovician dolomites . The Boston Mountains form

600-629: Was established in 1994 by the member states of Canada , Mexico , and the United States to address regional environmental concerns under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), the environmental side accord to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The Commission's 1997 report, Ecological Regions of North America , provides a framework that may be used by government agencies, non-governmental organizations , and academic researchers as

625-475: Was granted a permit to operate on a major tributary of the Buffalo River. The facility contained over 6,500 hogs, as well as storage areas for their manure. In 2019, the company reached a deal with the State of Arkansas to cease operations on the river. The then-governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson , subsequently announced a moratorium on large confined animal feeding operations in the river's watershed. In January 2020,

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