Crooked Creek Waterway And The
Fred Berry Conservation Education Center
It was another stunningly beautiful winter day here in the Ozarks. A long sleeved shirt is all the jacket we needed for our trip along the Crooked Creek Waterway which I had briefly written about in a previous issue. Our plan was to start at the Yellville access and work our way to the Fred Berry Conservation Education Center.
I drove down to my friends house and we headed out. He said that his neighbor told him that beavers had just built a dam across Clear Creek which ran through his property. We decided to drive over there first and see it. We stopped to ask permission to cross his land and he said yes, and also mentioned that the dam was less than a week old.
I drove down to my friends house and we headed out. He said that his neighbor told him that beavers had just built a dam across Clear Creek which ran through his property. We decided to drive over there first and see it. We stopped to ask permission to cross his land and he said yes, and also mentioned that the dam was less than a week old.
We found the spot and slipped under the barbed wire and onto the creek. As we approached from the upstream side we could only see a line across the top of the water. Coming up on the structure it was amazing to me that the beavers could accomplish such a feat in just a few days. Walking down the creek we could get a better sense of the effect the dam was having on water levels, both above and below their creation. You can see where the term "busy as beavers" comes from!
Back in the truck we headed down the back roads to the highway. It was a delightful drive through some very picturesque bottom land then back up over the mountain to our destination. All the access points on the Crooked Creek Waterway are provided and maintained by the Arkansas Game And Fish Commission. These hard working men and women do an outstanding job for the citizens of our state.
We pulled into the Yellville Access. It is also a city park. A short stroll along the creek showcased the beauty of this area. There is quite a hiking path here with benches to rest on if you need them. A public boat launch is available for your canoe or fishing boat. Back in the truck we headed to the Kelly Slab access and the entrance t the Fred Berry Conservation Education Center.
The center sits on 421 acres and features over 2 miles of frontage on Crooked Creek. There are 5 hiking trails at the center of varying length and difficult.There is one that has handicap access and also an Inland Archery Trail. As we drove over Kelly's Slab and into the center we saw a heron. Driving along the access roads we drove over to the pavilion then up to the center.
We were not quite sure if the center was open but the door was unlocked so we went in. We were met by a very friendly staff member who explained the origin and purpose of the center. Mr. Fred Berry was a school teacher in Yellville who believed strongly in education as one answer to conservation. His donation of $1 million in stock was used to purchase the property. The classroom seats 40 plus there is an outdoor pavilion. The staff encourage folks to stop by the center. There were no groups at the center that day and so we were free to drive on any of the roads including those marked for staff only. They mentioned that they had just completed a photography blind.
Leaving the center we decided to drive the various access roads then stop and hike one of the trails. It was a delightful time. Our hike took us along the edge of the woods and over a small runoff that was dry. :It was an interpretive trail with signs along the way that identified various trees and plants. The AGFC has done a sparkling job of creating and maintaining this center. Once we were finished with our hike we headed out, stopping again at the creek to photograph the heron who had remained at his spot on Crooked Creek the entire afternoon.
One of the most appealing parts of the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri is the incredible amount of public land that is free and open for exploration and use. Whether you visit us for a weekend, take a couple weeks vacation in our area or are just a local resident looking for something new, the Ozarks can satisfy the most demanding visitor and intrepid explorer.