Beaver Lake Fun Spot Problem for Authorities
Access to Area Home Often Blocked on Summer Weekends
Posted: July 31, 2011 at 5:58 a.m.
Martin’s Bluff on Beaver Lake has long been a popular swimming spot for Northwest Arkansas residents. On a busy weekend the small parking area accessing Martin’s Bluff can overflow and cars end up blocking Pleasure Heights Road, creating a headache for neighborhood residents and law enforcement.
PLEASURE HEIGHTS — Authorities said they are scratching their collective heads to come up with a way for lake-goers to enjoy rural areas of Beaver Lake without infringing on nearby residents.
Beaver Lake
- At the top of conservation pool elevation 1,120 mean sea level, Beaver Lake has a shoreline of 449 miles.
- As the pool rises to the top of flood control pool elevation 1,130 mean sea level, the shoreline miles increases to 483 miles.
- The Beaver project area contains 40,463 surface acres.
- Land which is owned in fee by the government consists of land that surrounds the lake.
- The boundary markers, or monuments, are topped with a brass cap, which indicates the tract of land which was purchased from the land owner.
- The limits of fee land are defined by the Government Fee Take Line, consisting of a straight line from monument to monument.
Source: Staff Report
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“This has been going on for years,” Jones said. “We’re going to start dealing with it with saturation patrols and towing vehicles. Obviously, when you tow a vehicle from that area, the people are stranded.”
Captain Jones, if this has been going on for years why did you not do some preplanning to deal with this expected issue. Why does a community have to demand a meeting with county officials to get some attention and assistance from the Sheriff’s Office? Good leadership would have seen this coming and developed a plan to keep it under control.
Posted by: OldWiseManOnceSaid
July 31, 2011 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
The visitors are people too, so don't be stingy. The boulders should be removed and the road sides paved to provide parking and restrooms built for accommodation. Portable rest rooms for a month. If trash barrels are placed there, some people will use them. This whole "problem" seems to be a no brainer, just get on the stick and be helpful.
Posted by: Oldearkie
July 31, 2011 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
The U.S. Corps of Engineers has jurisdiction over the lake and its banks, and determines what facilities might be made available there. Improving the area would, of course, require more of that evil socialism that people in Benton County are so averse to.
Posted by: AlphaCat
July 31, 2011 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Build a parking lot. That is if you can get the "Tree Huggers" to get out of the way.
How about porta potties? DUH !
Swimming in lakes is an American Tradition. We shouldn't be punishing these people. We need to find SOLUTIONS. You could clear, stump and gravel a couple arces from Monday - Thursday in just 4 days (if they work like a person who owns a business).
Posted by: SFret
July 31, 2011 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
They could also put up signs " ANYONE BLOCKING THE ROADWAY WILL BE FINED AND YOUR CAR IMPOUNDED" I think that would make the inconsiderates think twice about just parking in the middle of the roadway since they are probably the ones using the handicapped parking that don't need it.
Posted by: oldrustynut
August 1, 2011 at 3:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
You don't need to cut the trees down to put in a parking lot. The trees shade the cars. Just cut the brush and spread gravel and quit passing the buck.
Posted by: Oldearkie
August 1, 2011 at 8:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
While this is an unfortunate situation for home owners, the lake was built for everyone with tax payer dollars. Lake access has become so limited and costly it's no wonder people flock to an area where they aren't charged - AGAIN - to use their lake. I agree with Oldearkie just cut the brush and spread some gravel and this should help alleviate the parking on road issue.
Posted by: suek
August 2, 2011 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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