Arkansas’s Inland Ocean
Many locals say that Lake Catherine’s waters are the bluest in the state. Plus, together with the breathtaking Ouachita Mountains as its backdrop, this 1,940-acre lake makes up in beauty for what it lacks in size.
“Helping Build Arkansas”
Although Lake Catherine is one of Arkansas’s smaller Diamond Lakes, it boasts historical significance. In 1924 and 1925, Harvey Couch, Arkansas Power & Light founder, constructed the Remmel Dam. This impoundment of the Ouachita River led to the formation of Lake Catherine, which proved instrumental in Couch’s “Helping Build Arkansas” plan. The first created out of the three-dam-sequence, Lake Catherine catapulted local growth and job development. Lake Hamilton’s completion followed in 1932, and Lake Ouachita in 1953.
Lake Catherine’s Remmel Dam derives its name from Army Colonel H. L. Remmel, who utilized his governmental influence to accelerate the approval process for the three-dam project. The lake’s namesake is Mr. Couch’s only daughter, Catherine, who was only six years old when the lake was completed. In 1992, the Remmel Dam made the National Register of Historic Places due to its contribution to Arkansas Power & Light’s growth.
Lake Catherine State Park
This lake has an advantage over other lakes because it possesses a superb state park along its shores. Offering 20 cabins with lake views, the Lake Catherine State Park also includes one cabin personally designed to cater to the needs of visitors with disabilities. This two-bedroom cabin features a patio overlooking the lake and a private fishing pier.
The park also provides 70 campsites, six tents, and one yurt available for rent. Park guests can enjoy hiking and lake tours year-round, as well as guided horseback rides offered seasonally. While touring the grounds, visitors may come across the state park’s gem, Falls Creek Falls. This 10-foot waterfall attracts guests all year round and flows into a serene swimming hole.
Additionally, the state park offers a launch ramp, pavilion, public beach, picnic sites, laundry room, and playground. Residents can rent boats throughout all seasons. The state park visitor center also sells gifts, groceries, snacks, and ice cream during the summer.
An Excellent Nursery at Lake Catherine
Lake Catherine contains an ideal fish nursery, allowing young game fish to be placed directly in the lake. This style of nursery, in turn, improves the survival rate of numerous species. Accordingly, the lake boasts a diverse fish population, including largemouth bass, crappie, bream, striped bass, catfish, walleye, and spotted bass. Below the Remmel Dam, the lake’s tailwaters also house a rainbow trout fishery stocked by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
This lake never freezes over, presenting ideal fishing conditions throughout the year. Anglers who visit the lake during the winter will have the most success casting out a line where the Stream Electric Station is discharged. The fish congregate there since the water is 10 degrees warmer than the rest of the lake.
Scenic Views and Urban Proximity
Although the lake serves as a sanctuary from bustling city life, it is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Hot Springs. So if you’re looking to do it all—from swimming under the waterfall to visiting the Magic Springs theme park—you can find your dream home at Lake Catherine.