Arkansas River Coalition

Click here for the latest NPDES permit applications in
the Arkansas River Basin within Kansas open for public comment.

The ARKANSAS RIVER COALITION, Inc. Welcomes You!

If you live (or have lived) near the Arkansas River as it traverses the Rocky Mountains, Central Plains and hardwood forests, or are otherwise interested in its past, its uses or its potential for the future, we want you to be a part of our organization as we strive to meet our goals! We feel there is a terrific future ahead but it will take lots of work and people to make it happen.

On this web site you will find listed some of our goals, activities, articles about the river/river quality, concerns, etc., and some tips about how you, as an individual, can help improve our river. Join with us now and become part of our efforts!

The Arkansas River Coalition is an organization working to protect, restore and improve the quality of the groundwater and surface water of the entire Arkansas River Watershed. By focusing on the health of this valuable resource, we can better guide our decisions regarding how we manage our environment in the future. By providing information, sound science, and hands-on assistance, we hope to help individuals and community groups become effective river conservation leaders.

The Arkansas River Coalition was incorporated in 1998 as a 501(c)3 organization. Click here to donate or join.

About the Arkansas River:
The Arkansas River is one of the most historically and economically important rivers in the United States. From 1820 to 1846, it was the boundary between the United States and Mexico. Native Americans hunted along its length and early explorers followed it westward. It dates back to the Pliocene epoch, has a length of 1,450 miles and is the longest tributary in the Missouri-Mississippi system, and is the 4th longest river in the United States.

The Arkansas River has three faces. It is first a wild mountain stream full of rapids and, in Colorado, provides some of the best white water rafting in the country. It was part of the old Santa Fe Trail through Kansas, where it becomes a typical braided prairie river meandering across the flatlands. As it moves south into Oklahoma and Arkansas, it becomes a significant river for barge traffic as well as for recreation. From there it travels through hardwood forests and empties into the Mississippi.

Our Goals:

Encourage the formation of local river groups along the entire river under the umbrella of the Coalition.
Promote clean water and a healthy natural habitat along the river and its tributaries.
Promote improved natural areas with a good mix of recreational space.
Raise public awareness of the history and value of the river and tributaries.
Consult and work with individuals, local, state and federal government, and other interested agencies and organizations as appropriate to meet these goals.

Some of our regular activities include:

	Promotion of trails along the River for bikers, hikers, enjoyment of nature and wildlife, etc.
	Cleaning up along the shores and riverbed.
	Water monitoring workshops.
	Tracking Corps of Engineers and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for the watershed area.

Float trips on the River.

Benefits of membership:

	Association with others who have similar interests/concerns.
	Fresh air and outdoor activities.
	6 issues of the Newsletter per year to keep informed of current issues that involve the Watershed.
	An opportunity to do something to improve the Arkansas River watershed.

For information on how to join the group or to make a monetary donation, see our Membership Form.

	The Executive Director of the Arkansas River Coalition is DeEtte Huffman. - 620.245.9440
	The President is Jim Clark - 316.683.6966
	The Vice-President is Nancy Anderson.
	The Secretary is Tom Kneil.
	The Treasurer is Curt Demuth.
	Other Board members are: James Christians, Nate Davis, Ben Huie, Vince Marshall, Steve Waite and Susan Wolcott.

The coordinator of our float trips is Wally Seibel. 316.684.0730 (This number is for inquiries about floats only!)

The Arkansas River Coalition, PO Box 3056, Wichita, KS 67201

For questions or comments regarding the content of the site, contact Web@NaturalKansas.org.

For general inquiries about the Arkansas River Coalition, contact info@arkriver.org.

Every page in the Arkansas River Coalition website is linked on our Site Index.

This page was last updated on 05/20/08