2024 Map of Hatchie Coon

About this map

The Saint Francis Sunk Lands dominate this portion of Poinsett and Craighead Counties, where the Saint Francis River winds through a complex network of wetlands and islands. This landscape is a result of historic seismic activity that lowered the elevation of the alluvial valley, creating a unique environment of seasonal flooding and swampy terrain. Small communities and named landmarks like Elm Grove, Bunney, and Donnick occupy the higher ground surrounding the basin, while the interior features a series of significant landforms including Hatchie Coon Island, Middle Island, and Panther Island. Extensive drainage projects are evident through engineered waterways like Ditch Number 1 and Ditch Number 59, which attempt to manage the water levels of Hatchie Coon Lake and Saint Francis Lake. The map illustrates the persistent intersection of wild river bottomlands and agricultural reclamation efforts in the Arkansas Delta.