Lee Creek, from its origins in the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks in Arkansas, is one of six scenic rivers in Okahoma. However, in 1988, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the construction of Lee Creek reservoir in Arkansas, near the city of Ft. Smith (FERC 1987) above the terminus of Lee Creek at the Arkansas River. Construction of an upstream dam (Pine Mountain) is currently being proposed. Prior to impoundment, Lee Creek was known to contain 78 species of fish, including the Oklahoma endangered longnose darter (Percina nasuta). We are investigating the response of the fish community from the lower dam and assessing the potential response should the upper dam be constructed.
