The Fishes of the Poteau River, Oklahoma and Arkansas

Abstract

The PoLeau River rises from springs in the uplands of Scott County, Arkansas, and flows westward between the Petit Jean and Poteau Mountains on the north anld the Dutch Creek and Walker Mountains on the south into Le Flore County, Oklahoma, about 39 miles from its source. Some 50 miles from its source the Poteau is joined by the Black Fork which rises between Walker and Black Fork Mountains in Scott County, Arkansas. Fourteen miles west of the mouth of the Black Fork, the Fourche Maline joins the Poteau which then bends radically northeastward. The enlarged river winds through an extensive flood plain marked by numerous oxbow lakes, especiallv in the region near Poteau, Oklahoma. About 27 miles from the river's mouth the Potcau receives Brazil Creek from the west and James Fork from the east. These latter streams with the Fourche Maline and Black Fork are the largest tributaries. The channel again becomes relatively straight about 18 miles from its confluence witn thle Arkansas River. This portion is now much the same as observed by Meek (1896) at Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Poteau totals 128 miles in length, and with its tributarics drains 1,895 square mites (Anoni. 1936).