St. Francis Sunken Lands State Wildlife Management Area

The St. Francis Sunken Lands State Wildlife Management Area offers boat access to Ditch No. 59, a waterway created by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812. The main boat ramp is located 1.3 miles down Oak Donnick Lane, a levee road. This ramp provides direct access to the ditch, which flows through the flooded Sunken Lands area.

The Sunken Lands are an ecologically rich region managed by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission for hunting and recreation, though much of the land is often inaccessible due to extensive flooding. In addition to this primary boat ramp, there are several other access points around the management area, including Siphons Access, Oak Donnick Access, Stephens Landing, Mangrum Landing, Iron Bridge Access, and the Lake City Highway 18 bridge access.

For kayakers, canoeists, and small boaters, the calm waters of Ditch No. 59 provide an opportunity to explore the unique flooded landscape of the Sunken Lands. However, visitors should be aware that water levels can fluctuate significantly, and portions of the management area may be inaccessible depending on current conditions.