FORT SMITH - The National Weather Service says the Arkansas River’s water levels are on the path to normalcy, as the measurements took another significant drop overnight. As of 5:00 AM, the levels on the Fort Smith-Van Buren measurement gauge stood at 34.10 feet, down some six feet from the river’s Saturday crest of 40.10 feet.
This means that the water is well on its’ way to dropping below major flood stage, which is 31 feet. The regular flood stage where action is required is at 22 feet.
This week’s flooding has smashed any previous records set since measurements started early in the twentieth century. The highest level ever recorded was April 16th, 1945 when the water reached 38.10 feet.
