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Coastal Plain
Millions of years ago, the southern part of Arkansas was covered by the Gulf of Mexico. When the ocean water retreated it exposed the former beaches and bars, and streams began re-working those materials. Thus, the area designated as the Coastal Plain Region is dominated by rolling hills made up of marine and alluvial deposits of sand, gravel, and clay. Streams meander in broad valleys, where floodplain wetlands are similar in character to those found in the Delta. In addition, seeps and wet flats occur in many upland locations within the Coastal Plain region. Generally, Coastal Plain wetlands are less affected by row crop production, drainage, and water development than Delta and Arkansas River Valley wetlands, but forestry practices and grazing have had significant impacts in some areas.

Representatives of all of the wetland classes occur within the Coastal Plain Region. Read more about Wetland Classification, or find information on specific wetland classes that occur in the Coastal Plain:

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