The Spring River proper begins where Mammoth Spring and Warm Fork of the Spring River merge at Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.[8] Mammoth Spring is the outlet of an underground river that runs from Missouri into Arkansas.[9] Over 9.78 million US gallons (37,000 m3) per hour flow out of the massive spring and forms the Spring River.[10] Being predominantly spring fed with water averaging 58 °F (14 °C), the river is kept cool during warmer months and is suitable trout habitate for several miles.
The Spring River proper is a popular destination for tourists, canoers, and for riding inner tubes ("toobers").[4] The most popular stretch of the river is between Mammoth Spring and the tourist town of Hardy.[4] Below Hardy, the Spring River flows past Ravenden, Arkansas and Imboden, Arkansas to its confluence with the Eleven Point River near Old Davidsonville State Park. The Spring River joins the Black River near Black Rock, Arkansas. There are a variety of outfitters along the river who provide supplies, canoe rental, and shuttle services in the area between Mammoth Spring and Hardy.[10] Several resorts provide lodging for tourists.[10]
In March 2008, a vigorous, slow moving low pressure system moved out of Texas and into Arkansas inundating the area with over a foot of rain falling in some areas of Arkansas and Missouri.[15] Heavy rainfall rates caused the river to over flow its banks with an observed maximum depth of 22.29 feet (6.79 m). This river level had only been surpassed by the record 1982 floods that reached a level of 29 feet.[16] The mayor of Hardy ordered evacuation of 250 citizens of the town because of dangerous river levels that flooded over 100 buildings in and around the Spring River.[17]
