Buffalo National River

President Richard Nixon signed legislation March 1, 1972 making the Buffalo the first river in the country to receive the designation of national river. The Buffalo flows freely for 135 miles from Ponca to the White River. The Buffalo River water level is typically low in the fall on the upstream half, too low for floating, but ideal for wade fishing. Sections of the river downstream can usually be floated all year.

Other national rivers include New River Gorge National River in West Virginia, Niobrara National Scenic River in Nebraska, Klamath National Wild and Scenic River in Oregon and the California and Rio Grande National Wild and Scenic River in Texas.