The 50th Anniversary of the McClellan‐Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS)
2021 marks 50 years of service from the McClellan‐Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The waterway partners along the MKARNS will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the System with virtual and in-person events throughout the year.
The Arkansas Waterways Commission and the Arkansas Department of Commerce held a press briefing to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 1:30 PM.The event was attended by Governor Asa Hutchinson and dozens of other river commerce partners.The AWC also presented awards to the student winners of the #MKARNS50 Art Contest. Winners included:Silvan Jayant Lohakare – Kindergarten – Forest Park ElementaryBrandon Deaton – First Grade – Cavanaugh ElementaryKhye Benson – Second Grade – Carver ElementaryDavin May – Third Grade – Maumelle CharterRaylynn Stone – Fourth Grade – Maumelle School DistrictLuke Sides – Fifth Grade – HomeschoolNatalie Brock – Tenth Grade – Bigelow High School
Congratulations to our art contest winners!
We had so much fun working with schools and watching all of the creative art come in from our talented Arkansas students. Every art piece was beautiful and imaginative. Votes were decided by number of likes for each grade. Winning posters will be displayed on the AWC website and at a special media event celebrating the MKARNS 50th Anniversary (stay tuned)!
Winners:
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Kindergarten - Silvan Jayant Lohakare - Forest Park Elementary -
1st Grade - Brandon Deaton - Cavanaugh Elementary -
2nd Grade - Khye Benson- Carver Elementary -
3rd Grade - Davin May - Maumelle School District -
4th Grade - Raylynn Stone - Maumelle Charter School -
5th Grade - Luke Sides - Homeschool -
Young Adults - Natalie Brock (10th Grade) - Bigelow High, East End
As we appraoch the MKARNS 50th Anniversary we will be shining light on industry leaders. Join us as we speak Bryan Day of the Little Rock Port Authority as he discusses the importance of the Arkansas River and the impact it has made in his experience.
The director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission discusses what led to her becoming a part of the industry. She also discusses her experience in a male dominated industry as well as waterborne statistics.
This week we shine some light on Bruce Oakley, Inc. Bruce Oakley, Inc is a diverse commodity trading, distribution, and transportation company. Their vertically integrated transportation system allows them to provide excellent service to an extensive customer base. Justin Oakley sits down with the AWC to discuss their position on the MKARNS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F3ijscSL88
--MKARNS 50th Anniversary Spotlight - Colonel Eric M. Noe, District Engineer & Commander of USACE Little Rock District-- The AWC sits down with Colonel Noe to discuss the roll that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays on the McClellan‐Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System and how flood control, transportation, recreation, water supply and hydro power generation all play an integral part in how the system operates.
