From Dams to National River: The Battle for the Buffalo

In the years following the massive Mississippi River Flood of 1927, the U.S. government passed the Flood Control Act of 1938. This law aimed to prevent future disasters by building dams and other structures, and it also created jobs. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for these projects, soon looked at the Buffalo River in Arkansas, planning two dams along its course.

This idea sparked a major debate. Conservationists, worried about losing the river's natural beauty, formed the Ozark Society. They fought to keep the Buffalo flowing freely, without dams. On the other side, a group called the Buffalo River Improvement Association supported the dams, working with the Corps of Engineers and local politicians. The Ozark Society, however, reached out to the National Park Service, hoping to protect the river.

A turning point came in December 1965 when Governor Orval Faubus told the Corps of Engineers he wouldn't support a dam on the Buffalo. This led the Corps to drop their plans. Then, in 1966, John Paul Hammerschmidt of Harrison was elected to Congress. He quickly showed support for creating a park along the river.

Working with Senators J. William Fulbright and John L. McClellan, Congressman Hammerschmidt introduced the first bill to make the Buffalo a national river in 1967. After more efforts, the final legislation passed in 1971, and in February 1972, Congress officially established the Buffalo as the nation's first "national river." This special designation protects the river from industrial use and dams, preserving its natural state and habitat.

Today, the Buffalo National River welcomes over a million visitors annually, who come to enjoy its unspoiled beauty. Harrison, Arkansas, serves as a key entry point and hosts the park headquarters, celebrating the river's journey from a potential dam site to a protected national treasure.