Water

The heart of the Chico Basin Ranch is the 15-mile long riparian corridor that follows the Chico Creek through the ranch. Due to the unique geologic formations under the surface, this corridor is the outlet for ground water collected from 580 square miles of grassland and forest spreading north of the ranch. Hundreds of springs, seeps, wetlands, and small creeks are collected in our 6 lakes and eventually flow into the Chico Creek on their way to the Arkansas River. The lakes are major birding and wildlife viewing areas, and they provide great bass and bluegill fishing, canoeing, picnicking, and even ice skating in the winter.