WOKA EXPEDITION!

This is the building and sign that you see, when you enter the campus of WOKA.  The word "WOKA" is a reference to "the Waters of Oklahoma and Arkansas" Whitewater Park.

The photo below shows the entry gate cars must go through, to enter the park.  It only accepts credit cards, as the park is listed as a "cashless" facility. As you can see from the photo I took through my windshield, it was raining on the day that I went, but the park does not close just because it is raining.  However, on busy days when the weather is nice, there will be many visitors.  To prevent the park from becoming dangerously overcrowded, the gate will not open when the parking lot is full. 

I was the only one in the park that day, so this gentleman had time to come out and give me a tour.  His name is Jared Skaggs, Director of Outdoor Experience.  This waterpark is a result of a cooperative working arrangement between the city of Siloam Springs (www.siloamsprings.com), and the Grand River Dam Authority (www.GRDA.com). 

The rain drops clinging to one of the hand rails on upper viewing platform, serve as a frame for the waters flowing in the distance.  Rain does not prevent the park from being open to visitors, UNLESS, there is so much rain that the Illinois River is in flood stage.  The water level of the river is shown in real time, on the WOKA website (www.visitwoka.com).

The autumn leaves in photo below, serve as a reminder to say the park is open year round.  I was there on a chilly day in November.  Just three days earlier, on Thanksgiving Day, several paddlers came to the park (wearing wet suits), and enjoyed playing on the rapids .  (I had seen photos of them on the WOKA Facebook and Instagram pages.)

The repurposed railroad cars contain concession amenities, that are open during the warmer parts of the year.  Stairs lead up to viewing decks on the roof of the concession stands, equipped with picnic tables.  They provide a great overlook of the entire water park.  The canopy on a stand at ground level can provide shade to the picnic tables underneath, on days when it is hot and sunny. 

This is the view from the rooftop, when looking towards the beginning of the rapids.  WOKA is a 1200 foot long, 100 foot wide, side channel of the Illinois River, and features 8 drops/whitewater features. 

The photo below shows the rapids, and boulders, that one must navigate to get to the end of the water park.  These obstacles might be thought of as "trials of many kinds" to challenge one's paddling navigational skills on rough water.  So I am using this as the visual aid for one of my First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) memory verses that says, "Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  James 1:2-4

There is a very colorful mural painted on the side of the railroad car that faces the river.  I like the way the artist incorporated the letters "w  o  k  a" into the art work to make them "flow" with the river!

 

Photo below shows the picnic tables and Adirondack chairs on the rooftop viewing area of the railroad cars.  Visitors may bring outside food and drink, but no alcohol.  This would be a very scenic location for a picnic in nicer weather!

The second railroad car also has an appropriate message, since the park is located on a "channel" of the Illinois River!  Likewise, a paddler needs to "channel" their concentration to make it though these challenging water features!

There are placards that show the elevation drops of the rapids, so that paddlers can know what exciting challenges await them!

There are temperature-controlled restrooms, lavatories, and changing stations at the park.  Likewise, water fountains are provided, that even have a place for refilling water bottles.  A series of photos on a timeline, adorn the covered porch between the restrooms.  I was thankful that Jared alerted me to these photos, because they answered many of the questions I had about the history of the park.  I would encourage visitors to be sure to check out the history timeline when they visit.

Jered told me the channel was blasted out of solid bedrock, to construct the whitewater drops.  Since these are rocks newly exposed to running water, their edges have not been smoothed from hundreds of years of flowing water.  Therefore, I determined when I return to "shoot the rapids" in warmer weather, I am going to wear the dive skin or wetsuit I had from scuba diving, to protect my skin from scrapes with the rocks. 

For those who do not want to come by car, you can walk or bike this three mile paved path between Siloam Springs and WOKA, then brag you walked from Arkansas to Oklahoma!  The photo below shows the walking/biking path that you can use.  As a reward for your efforts, there is no entry fee if you arrive at the park via walking or biking!  The trail and the whitewater park owe a debt of gratitude to the Walton Family Foundation (aka, Walmart ) for the generous grant that made this a reality. 

WOKA is located in an area that used to be called Lake Francis, which was created by a dam across the Illinois River.  There were numerous issues with the dam, so eventually, it was taken out.  The orange balls on the left of this photo mark the boundary of the remains of Lake Francis, that leads to the remains of the former dam. 

Photo below shows former Lake Francis Dam, that has been modified to "stair step" down to river below, so that if a paddler accidentally were to go over it, there is no strong undertow that might cause a drowning hazard.  Speaking of drowning, there are NO LIFEGUARDS at the park.  Each person is responsible for their own safety.  Life jackets, secure footware, and helmets are REQUIRED. (This translates to "no flipflops".) One can bring their own kayak, IF it is designed for whitewater.  Rental kayaks, standup paddleboards, helmets, and round intertubes are available for rental in season.  Lifejackets are included with all rentals.

Paddlers know where to get out by this exit flag, which is very helpful!

There is a very wide slab at the takeout location, which can accommodate more than one visitor at a time. 

This is the view downstream, where the Illinois River continues its meandering .

This is the only sign you will see, as you are traveling south of Siloam Springs, on Highway 59, to alert you to the place you need to turn off the highway to drive to the park.  

Before visiting, you will want to take a close look at the safety rules, and other tips, that are available on their website at www.visitwoka.com   Some of these guidelines are shown in photo at end of this blog.

 The physical address of the park to put in your navigation system is 474986 Twin Falls Road, Watts, Oklahoma.  Their email is woka@grda.com and the phone is 918-610-9652.  

A visit to this new attraction in the Ozarks gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!!