Print this page. Home / Browse / Ouachita River The Ouachita
River originates in the Ouachita Mountains of west-central
Arkansas near the Arkansas and Oklahoma border and flows 600
river miles before joining the Black and Red rivers in north-
central Louisiana. The Ouachita flows through eleven different
counties in Arkansas and five parishes in Louisiana. The
Ouachita is a river of diverse beauty. It begins as a small
mountain stream at Eagleton (Polk County) and flows eastward
approximately 120 miles. It winds through lush mountain valleys,
steadily building as it flows between huge boulders beneath
mountain bluffs. It flows onward on its 600-mile course amid
banks of moss-covered oaks and cypress trees in the swampy
bottoms of Louisiana. The Ouachita is noted for its great
fishing, especially bass, bream, and white perch. Wildlife is
prolific along the banks of the river. White-tail deer, turkeys,
and even an occasional bear can be seen in secluded areas;
alligators and bald eagles have also recently return