While the commencement of Lake Conway’s renovation project has brought excitement for those wanting to “treasure hunt” on the exposed lake bed, archaeologists are concerned about the potential looting of archaeological sites.

According to newlakeconway.com, in the 75 years since the building of this 6,700-acre lake, this is the first major renovation on the lake besides “minor winter lake drawdowns.”

The website said plans for the renovation of Lake Conway include the replacement of the original dam and spillway, the addition of a spillway adjacent to the dam and the addition of a “urban natural area.” The new dam will add a pedestrian bridge and bank fishing access which in combination with the new urban natural area, will allow for more opportunities for recreational enjoyment of the lake for visitors.

Plans are also in place to “increase man-made fish habitats,” to clear and remark  23 miles of boat lanes, to facilitate cleanup of debris and litter and to revitalize boat ramps and access points.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission started draining Lake Conway on Sept. 1 and unanimously approved a free “Lake Conway Item Removal Permit” Oct. 26.

However, this permit has increasingly been referred to as a “treasure-hunting” permit by the Conway community as well as by an Oct. 27 article posted on the AGFC website.

Mel Zabecki, the Arkansas state archaeologist with the Arkansas Archaeological Survey said,

“I’m also extremely put off by the use of the phrase ‘treasure hunting,’ as most archaeologists spend their entire career trying to explain that archaeology is not a treasure hunt, but a science with systematic techniques that use all clues to reconstruct past lives. 

“While I understand the AGFC prohibits searching for archaeological materials, perpetuating the destructive concept of treasure hunting is not something a state agency should support,” Zabecki said.

Duncan McKinnon, associate professor of anthropology at UCA and director of the Jamie C. Brandon Center for Archaeological Research, said, “Throughout central Arkansas are the material remains that document a long history of human occupation and landscape use, first by Native American groups, later by Euro-American settlers, and more recent historical evidence tied to the development and growth of Faulkner County.”

McKinnon said, “Because of the length of time and diversity of cultural groups, there is a wide range and types of archaeological, cultural, or historical material objects. As such, the Arkansas Archaeological Survey has on file hundreds of archaeological and historical sites within Faulkner County and relative to the Lake Conway area.”

“No doubt, additional material evidence of this long and diverse history are located in undisturbed buried deposits on the now exposed Lake Conway lake bed,” McKinnon added.

Zabecki said, “The news of this permitting system is deeply troubling to me. There are 30 registered archaeological sites, both historic and pre-contact (Native American), around the perimeter of Lake Conway, and the possibility of many more on the lake bed is highly probable.”

“Some of the site records note that the sites probably extend under the lake, so even currently known sites are at risk. The permit only mentions Native American or other artifacts of antiquity, but most folks are not aware that anything older than 50 years is considered archaeological,” Zabecki said.

“The permit is also a bit contradictory as it states that the holes can be no deeper than 12 inches but probing can be done with ‘ … implements no longer than 60 inches.’ How is a person to stop their probe at 12 inches? If they hit something at 15, 20, 25-plus inches, will they be tempted to dig deeper?”

Nick Feltz, the AGFC Conway supervisor, said the 60-inch maximum was to account for the standard length of a digging shovel.

“Obviously there’s going to be a temptation for anyone out there certainly just like any other type of outdoor solitary recreation people take part in. Ultimately, it comes down to their own accountability,” Feltz said.

Feltz said there would be higher law enforcement presence in areas where Native American and other historical artifacts are suspected to be located and the AGFC Mayflower location is “somewhat of an AGFC law enforcement headquarters.”

“Our training center is right next door, so we very much have a large game warden presence right on Lake Conway.” 

Feltz said the call center which is used to report violations is also located in the Mayflower office.

Lake Conway Item Removal Permits can be printed from agfc.com and must be signed and either digitally or physically on an individual’s person if they wish to remove items from the lake bed.

After obtaining a signed permit, individuals may access the lake bed during daylight hours and may use non-mechanically powered instruments to dig a hole no larger than 36-by-36 inches and 12 inches deep, agfc.com said.

The permit states “rocks, soil, vegetation or other earthen materials may not be removed” and “any archaeological, cultural or historical ruin, or parts thereof, including any Native American or other artifacts of antiquity, shall not be disturbed or otherwise removed from the lake bed.” 

Hayden Baldwin, a member of the public Facebook group Lake Conway Treasure Hunt and Rebuilding said, “I would advise those seeking ‘treasures’ when the lake bed dries up to please use caution. I strongly urge masks to be worn. There may be some chemicals left over in the silt from the bus company. Also, chemicals from the farmers’ fields coming down Palarm Creek. Masks and gloves would be advisable.”

Feltz said, “I would always just err on the side of caution and be wearing gloves and some type of respirator if you’re actively digging in the ground and moving dirt around.”

In the Facebook group, members have reported finding bottles, lures and a propeller.

According to newlakeconway.com, construction on Lake Conway will commence once the lake bed is dry. The lake is expected to return to normal elevation in five years.

The website said the fish and alligators of Lake Conway are expected to drain out through Palarm Creek and into the Arkansas River. 

For more permit information and regulations visit agfc.com.