Corps of Engineers plans to deepen Arkansas River navigation channel

Monday, September 26th 2005, 6:29 am

By: News On 6

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) -- A $166-million project to deepen the Arkansas River navigation channel in Oklahoma and Arkansas is expected to be approved this week by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Arkansas River Navigation Study officials say the order is to become official Tuesday in Washington. The work would deepen the channel from 9 feet to 12 feet.

The final study says deepening the channel would enable more consistent commerce and would bring $22-million in benefits each year.

The dredge work could begin in Oklahoma, where there's been difficulty in maintaining a 9-foot channel.

The study included the McClellan-Kerr System from the Port of Catoosa near Tulsa as well as eleven reservoirs in Oklahoma that influence river flow.