H.K. Thatcher Lock & Dam Access

Salt Spring Bend Boat Ramp is a public access point on the Ouachita River in El Dorado, Arkansas. This site provides an easy launch for kayaks, canoes, and small boats to explore this major waterway.

The Ouachita River is a large, navigable river that flows for over 548 miles across Arkansas and Louisiana. With an average flow of over 27,000 cubic feet per second and a gradient of 3 feet per mile, paddlers can expect a moderate to swift current and potentially challenging conditions depending on water levels. The river's headwaters are located near this access point, about 771 miles from the river's mouth.

Facilities at the Salt Spring Bend site include a concrete boat ramp, which may be submerged at higher water levels. Nearby recreation areas along the Ouachita River provide additional launch points, camping, and other amenities for boaters and paddlers. Visitors should use caution when launching and be prepared for the Ouachita River's size and flow characteristics.