Arkie John
Active member
I've done a bunch of research on this one area so last Saturday, me and the Mrs went for a little drive. I just happened to take along the Ace 250 
I had heard of this area all my life and knew it only as a place to put in the fishin' boat when I was a kid. But upon further study I found that these mineral springs were "the thing" back as far as the 1890's. I traced the history of ownership all the way to the present. The Corps lake went in in 1955 and the place waned so much as a 'cure-all' mineral springs but still was popular, having cabins and campgronds for people to come from miles around. There were 24 cabins initially. All are gone now but six. But I secured a map from an unlikely source--Arkansas State Parks and Tourism. I love it.
I immediately narrowed the area down to an area that is now controlled by a lease from the Army Corps of Engineers, to the State Parks. Now generally, the State Parks do not allow metal detectors on their property. But since it was a lease, I decided to press the issue a might.
We got to the area and I was surprised to find a non-designated beach area at the end of a road going head-long into the lake. There was a sign that said, surprisingly, "No life guard on duty. Swim at your own risk."
Now this perked my interest. I knew this had to be the remnants of the old swim area, dating back to the 50's--at least. Hmmmm.
So, I got out, put my poker face on and donned the Ace and off I went in a mad dash. I decided that I would just spend a little time cherry picking the area to see if it had potential. Well, potential it DOES have. In just a few minutes I found a sizable amount of change (all clad) and one sterling ring. All of it was within two inches of the surface. The area I was working was normally about 6 feet below the surface when the lake is at full pool. I worked the waterline and waded out (I have waterproof boots) a ways and did all I could in twenty minutes. I knew I was on borrowed time with the park folks but hey! It's Corps land and that was my story and I was stickin' to it.
What I noticed most is the clarity of the water--about 15 feet--and dead calm--like glass. It was beautiful and I wanted to slip right in. All in due time. (It was about 35 degrees f) The bottom rolled from the shallows into the deep at about a 30 degree decline. The bottom was a natural shale/SB-2 mixture...not the best but certainly not one foot of muck to deal with. I wondered what the bottom of that decline had in story for me this summer. Maybe the stuff dreams are made of.
Now, even though there are numerous leases on this Corps lake, they are just that; leases. Although the individual lessess may restrict or outright deny metal detectors from the land, they have no right nor do they have the jurisdiction to stop any detectorist from entering into the immediate area by boat and dropping anchor. Therein lies my saving grace. The WATER belongs to the public. The lessees can control only what comes to them over the land.
So, if you have any Corps of Engineers lakes in your area (and I know some of you do) with good swim areas, remember that even though the area may be buoyed off (like a swim area, etc) and even though boats cannot enter designated swim areas, one can motor to the closest point and then proceed using either hookah or scuba and no one has the legal wherewithall to stop you from hookah or scuba diving, except for areas that are obvious, like around intakes etc.
Now I admit that I may get a few glares from the bank every so often--and they may even be discussing my ancestry, but that's life. I generally try to establish a relationship with the lessee before I dive and it usually makes things better. I just let them know I'm going to be in the water areas on certain days (I don't ask permission if coming in from the water) But there are a strange few that think they can fake you out and tell you that the water in question is 'their' water. It just 'ain't' so. While I am visiting with the lessee, I size them up and if they are friendly, I ask if I can enter from the land side. Some agree and I am that much ahead.
If you have any trouble, you can go to any project office and ask for a supervisory ranger and they will be happy to tell you the same thing. Public water is public water. The Corps does not OWN the land, they are merely managers of the public waters and lands. That keeps things in the property perspective. I get rather undone when I meet a public official that thinks they walk on water.
So, it won't be long before I will be making an assault or three in this area and one just around the corner...but that's another story.
I reckon I can dream until then, eh?
Thanks for comin' along. <><
aj
I had heard of this area all my life and knew it only as a place to put in the fishin' boat when I was a kid. But upon further study I found that these mineral springs were "the thing" back as far as the 1890's. I traced the history of ownership all the way to the present. The Corps lake went in in 1955 and the place waned so much as a 'cure-all' mineral springs but still was popular, having cabins and campgronds for people to come from miles around. There were 24 cabins initially. All are gone now but six. But I secured a map from an unlikely source--Arkansas State Parks and Tourism. I love it.
I immediately narrowed the area down to an area that is now controlled by a lease from the Army Corps of Engineers, to the State Parks. Now generally, the State Parks do not allow metal detectors on their property. But since it was a lease, I decided to press the issue a might.
We got to the area and I was surprised to find a non-designated beach area at the end of a road going head-long into the lake. There was a sign that said, surprisingly, "No life guard on duty. Swim at your own risk."
Now this perked my interest. I knew this had to be the remnants of the old swim area, dating back to the 50's--at least. Hmmmm.
So, I got out, put my poker face on and donned the Ace and off I went in a mad dash. I decided that I would just spend a little time cherry picking the area to see if it had potential. Well, potential it DOES have. In just a few minutes I found a sizable amount of change (all clad) and one sterling ring. All of it was within two inches of the surface. The area I was working was normally about 6 feet below the surface when the lake is at full pool. I worked the waterline and waded out (I have waterproof boots) a ways and did all I could in twenty minutes. I knew I was on borrowed time with the park folks but hey! It's Corps land and that was my story and I was stickin' to it.
What I noticed most is the clarity of the water--about 15 feet--and dead calm--like glass. It was beautiful and I wanted to slip right in. All in due time. (It was about 35 degrees f) The bottom rolled from the shallows into the deep at about a 30 degree decline. The bottom was a natural shale/SB-2 mixture...not the best but certainly not one foot of muck to deal with. I wondered what the bottom of that decline had in story for me this summer. Maybe the stuff dreams are made of.
Now, even though there are numerous leases on this Corps lake, they are just that; leases. Although the individual lessess may restrict or outright deny metal detectors from the land, they have no right nor do they have the jurisdiction to stop any detectorist from entering into the immediate area by boat and dropping anchor. Therein lies my saving grace. The WATER belongs to the public. The lessees can control only what comes to them over the land.
So, if you have any Corps of Engineers lakes in your area (and I know some of you do) with good swim areas, remember that even though the area may be buoyed off (like a swim area, etc) and even though boats cannot enter designated swim areas, one can motor to the closest point and then proceed using either hookah or scuba and no one has the legal wherewithall to stop you from hookah or scuba diving, except for areas that are obvious, like around intakes etc.
Now I admit that I may get a few glares from the bank every so often--and they may even be discussing my ancestry, but that's life. I generally try to establish a relationship with the lessee before I dive and it usually makes things better. I just let them know I'm going to be in the water areas on certain days (I don't ask permission if coming in from the water) But there are a strange few that think they can fake you out and tell you that the water in question is 'their' water. It just 'ain't' so. While I am visiting with the lessee, I size them up and if they are friendly, I ask if I can enter from the land side. Some agree and I am that much ahead.
If you have any trouble, you can go to any project office and ask for a supervisory ranger and they will be happy to tell you the same thing. Public water is public water. The Corps does not OWN the land, they are merely managers of the public waters and lands. That keeps things in the property perspective. I get rather undone when I meet a public official that thinks they walk on water.
So, it won't be long before I will be making an assault or three in this area and one just around the corner...but that's another story.
I reckon I can dream until then, eh?
Thanks for comin' along. <><
aj
