The Prediction of Sediment and Nutrient Transport in the Buffalo River Watershed Using A Geographic Information System

The Buffalo River was established by Congress in 1972 as the first National River in the United States. It is one of the few remaining free-flowing streams in northern Arkansas. The river originates in the higher elevations of the Boston Mountains in Newton County, and generally flows northeastward, intersecting the Springfield and Salem Plateaus as it drops from approximately 2000 feet in the headwaters to around 500 feet at the confluence with the White River in Marion County. It is considered by many to be one of Arkansas\u27 greatest natural treasures, and therefore , there is strong interest in protecting it from undue influences of man. One of the best general descriptions of the area within the Buffalo River watershed was given by Smith (1967)