Trout in trouble; Warmer water temperatures in Little Red River causing problems for trout population

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. – People who live on the Little Red River in Heber Springs say the wild brown trout population is dying and if something isn’t done soon, it could cost the city millions of dollars in potential revenue.

Right now, temperatures in parts of the river are too hot for the fish to live in and neighbors are calling for help.

Melinda Smith lives along the river and is the local chapter president of Trout Unlimited. She explained how important the river is for the area.

“This river means so much, it has saved a lot of lives, it has entertained a lot of families,” Smith said. “It has been spiritual to some people.”

As temperatures start to rise, that sun beats down on the river. It may not seem like a big deal for anglers and kayakers, but for fish under the water, it’s life or death.

“Trout can’t live like that,” Smith said.

Smith said she has spent years cruising up and down the Little Red River. She called the spot “magical” but as of late, it’s been anything but.

“Every year we’re talking about the same thing that we don’t have cold water for the trout,” Smith said.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officials said the ideal temperature for trout is anywhere between 53 and 66 degrees. The latest readings from the Army Corps of Engineers show temperatures exceeding 70.

The farther you get away from the dam, the hotter it gets.

“There are floating wild brown trout, and you know for the anglers, for the people just coming to enjoy the beauty, it’s sad,” Smith said. “We need a plan, we need a plan from the game and fish, we need a plan with corps and with the power company.”

Smith said the easiest solution would be to turn on the water at the dam to get more flow downstream. This would increase water levels and cool temperatures.

She added that there are regulations in place that prevent an easy transition.

“It will take an act of Congress to get them to turn on the waters,” Smith said.

Anglers like Smith are begging the public to reach out to their representatives for change. Not just for the fish but for the local economy that usually sees visitors from across the U.S.

“You see fisherman and you talk to them and they say we’ll I just don’t come here anymore, I’m up on the white or the Norfolk where they have water,” said Smith.

The mayor of Pangburn said fishing is vital to the local economy, and they need help from the higher-ups to make sure the fish population stays.

KARK 4 News reached out to the Army Corps of Engineers who run the dam at Greers Ferry. Officials say there is already a water control plan in place and they cannot release more water without permission from the state.

Smith and the rest of the community is urging everyone to reach out to their state representatives about the issue.

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