Lake Conway Renovation Progresses as Boat Lanes Take Shape

Lake Conway, the 6,700-acre reservoir at the heart of central Arkansas, is undergoing a major renovation expected to last five years and finish in 2027. While the primary focus of the project is to rebuild the lake’s 75-year-old dam and spillway, it also carries another promise that has drawn the attention of boaters and anglers: the creation of clear, well-marked boating lanes in the notoriously stump-filled waters of “Old Stumpy.” After years of waiting, that promise is now moving closer to reality with the first major milestone in the renovation.

Reviving a Storied Lake

In 2023, Lake Conway, the largest lake in central Arkansas, was drained for the first time in its 75-year history since its creation in 1948, offering a dramatic sight for locals, anglers, boaters, and everyone who had known the lake over the decades. The reservoir is notable not only as the largest ever constructed by a state wildlife commission but also as the first built by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). While its temporary emptiness brought a sense of loss, it also signaled the start of a once-in-a-generation restoration.

This restoration extends well beyond repairing infrastructure, targeting a full ecological renewal. Crews are clearing excess sediment and removing invasive species that had taken root, restoring vital habitats for native fish and plants. With cleaner water, safer boating, better fishing conditions, and more accessible shorelines, Lake Conway is set to emerge as a premier destination for outdoor recreation for years to come.

Cutting New Paths

Over the past four months, contractors have carved 60-foot-wide boat lanes across the dried lakebed of Lake Conway. Temporary markers now trace these paths, and once the water returns, massive telephone poles will be installed to permanently designate the lanes.

“The marked lanes will be 50 feet wide, but we’ll have a little buffer on each side for added safety,” said Reid Phifer, AGFC assistant chief of operations. “There could still be a log or two floating into the lanes from time to time, so people still need to use caution, but we’ve removed all of the stumps and permanent obstructions from the paths.”

Phifer added that the work completed so far has mulched 28 miles of boat lanes, expanding Lake Conway’s existing 23-mile system to nearly 30 miles. “Some of those boat lanes were existing. Some of those boat lanes are new,” he noted.

Ben Feltz explained that the final lane layout was determined using a combination of pre-existing lanes, public input, and aerial photography of the dried lakebed.

“We didn’t want to cut any live cypress in the lake, and some of the suggested lanes ran into shallow spots, so we rerouted them as close to what people suggested as possible,” Feltz said. “We also received input from anglers who pointed out popular fishing locations so we could avoid cutting a path through them.”

The completion of these boat lanes marks a major milestone in the public-facing portion of Lake Conway’s renovation.

Building Habitat

Crews have installed large concrete pipes in the lakebed to serve as catfish spawning structures. Fisheries staff have also added wooden habitats and several disk-shaped structures resembling giant birdbaths, designed to support spawning for other fish species. Phifer noted that the agency airlifted more than 300 tons of gravel and nearly 100 concrete culverts to various parts of the lake using helicopter contractors to enhance spawning habitats.

Local landowners and anglers are invited to participate as well. Ben Feltz said the agency plans to distribute additional habitat structures to the community.

Staff have planted hundreds of cypress trees in areas where the lake’s typical water levels will support them, creating complex cover in the lakebed. In addition, numerous fish attractors have been installed to provide long-lasting habitat, offering a different type of cover from the stumps that still dot much of the 6,700-acre reservoir.

The Next Phase

Work to replace Lake Conway’s aging spillway is set to begin soon, with all necessary permits secured and a contractor selected through the state bidding process. “Once the final contracts are signed, we will be able to hit the ground running,” said Reid Phifer. “Weather will still play a role, but we are on track to start turning dirt by the end of the year.”

Despite heavy rains this spring that delayed some initial work, the project remains on schedule for completion in 2027, promising a revitalized lake for anglers, boaters, and the wider community.