No doubt Dry Run Creek is a very special destination that is reserved only for persons under the age of 16 and those who are mobility impaired. It's located adjacent to the hatchery, above the road bridge and belongs to the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. Below the road bridge and to its confluence with the Norfork River is COE property. The creek is dependant on the discharge of water from the hatchery that averages 25,000 gallons of water per minute. Natural creek flow above the creek amounts to almost zero during dry spells.
Regulations. These are determined by the AGFC enforcement division. Few persons fully understand these regulations. In order to fish at DRC as a mobility- impaired person, you must apply to the AGFC for a permit. Medical evidence has to be provided for a permit to be issued. The regulations permit that mobility- impaired persons can fish only from the existing pier, and may not access other sections upstream from the pier.
This past week l, along with many others, worked with the Healing Waters program. It was one of the best experiences l have been involved with and included a great bunch of guys who have suffered injury and trauma whilst serving in our military forces. We were able, with consent from AGFC, to take the guys to Dry Run Creek for the day. We gave them a tour of the hatchery, after which we guided the guys at Dry Run. This was a great experience for them.
Gary Flippin, T-bird and I were to take care of David and Mike, who were both restricted to wheel chair access. This, of course, restricted us to fish only from the pier, which before we arrived l knew would be a problem for all concerned.
This deck is too high above the water surface. It is not possible for a handicapped person to fish there by himself. He may be able to hook a fish; but from that point on, the odds of being able to land the fish are remote. In other words, the current setup does not give the option for a wheelchair bound person to land and release fish when fly fishing. It might be possible if using a spin caster set up with 10 to 20 lb. line! Someone has to be present with the angler who is able to get into the stream to net fish and that creates another problem. There are no steps or easy access to the stream level.
(see picture at top of David Specking with a hooked fish, and myself in the creek netting the fish ),)
The major project for the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery is to raise the funds to correct this problem and improve overall the in-stream habitat and bank stabilization. With the consent of the USFW and the hatchery manager's wishes for the improvements at the creek, we are raising funds to have constructed from the pier upstream for approximately 130 ft a boardwalk at stream side level that would allow for those confined to a wheel chair to access and fish. If all goes well and we can establish further adequate water levels around the existing pier, it may well be possible to add lower level additional construction to provide further wheelchair access and steps down to the creek level.
The Friends consulted with Dave Whitlock and the AGFC trout habitat personnel for the best means of approach for the project. Dave Whitlock was asked to become the consultant for the project to determine the work needed. AGFC has agreed to take on the in-stream and bank side stabilization. The construction of the handicap boardwalk must comply with USFW requirements. The FNNFH had applied for a Cost Share grant from USFW region 4, but were initially declined. At a later date Ken Boyles, the hatchery manager, was informed that we were to receive a grant of $32,000 for the DRC enhancement program. This was indeed great news for us all.
Given that the FNNFH have to match this grant, either with funds in hand or with work in kind, (which amounts to labor and material supplied at determined rates) we proceeded to establish with a local contractor for the work to be undertaken for the handicap access. Subsequently we were informed by Ken that given the nature of the grant by law we have to accept bids from other contractors interested. This is currently in process.
Dave Whitlock has provided the Friends with artwork and detail for the project, some of which is illustrated here. (Dave Whitlock DRC enhancement plans ).
After the day's events at DRC, l spent some time discussing with Ken Morrow, one of the project leaders for Healing waters, the problems that exist at DRC for the handicapped. Ken told me that there were organizations out there that may be very interested to help further with funding toward our project. Of course l will be following up in the near future.
As a matter of further interest the handicap points of access we have available for wheelchair access on the rivers have very limited practical use.
There are two at Bull shoals dam, one at Rim shoals and one at the handicapped access to Norfork River. During high water, they serve little use and in low water more or less the same. In many cases boat docks often provide for way better fishing stations during lower water conditions.
Boat ramps may have some practical use if water levels are high. During low water, it is not an option for easy wheelchair access up or down. In fact in can be dangerous.
One further project l am looking into is to have built a boat that allows for easy wheelchair access. This craft would have use both for the rivers and lakes and would be available to all who apply for its use on our rivers and lakes. My thinking is to establish cost and then raise the funds. The boat would be stored at a location such as Rim Shoals for use.
As far as DRC is concerned, we will be looking at the early spring period before we see any work in progress.
