Arkansas has 1,000 miles of navigable waterways which link the state with America's 22,202 miles of navigable inland waterways. A mild climate keeps the nation's most inland commercially navigable system open year-round. Its nine-foot channels handle barges that traverse inland waters from Houston and New Orleans to Pittsburgh and Minneapolis, moving goods to major U.S. and international ports. All ports in Arkansas have river barge service to the deep water ports in New Orleans, as well as Houston and Mobile, which are located along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The Mississippi River, which forms the eastern boundary of the state, is accessed through public ports at Osceola, West Memphis, Helena and McGehee, connecting Arkansas with ports in the Midwest, Northwest and South.
Barge service is also available to privately-owned terminals and riverfront industrial sites.
This system serves public ports at Pine Bluff, Little Rock and Fort Smith, as well as 45 private terminals and numerous industrial parks. There are two public ports located at Camden and Crossett on the Ouachita River's navigable nine-foot channel. Navigation channels on all the rivers are maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and are open year-round. The state's three largest and most active public ports are located on the Arkansas River Navigation System at Little Rock, Fort Smith and Pine Bluff. Not available Port of Little Rock 9 ft.