Arkansas Waterways Commission

What Arkansas Waterways Commission does

The Arkansas Waterways Commission is a state government agency established by Act 242 of 1967 and operating as a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce from 1 Commerce Way, Suite 503 in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is statutorily the sole state agency responsible for developing, promoting, and protecting waterborne transportation across Arkansas's five commercially navigable rivers — the Arkansas, Mississippi, Ouachita, Red, and White Rivers — totaling approximately 1,800 navigable miles, which places Arkansas third nationally in inland waterway miles. The Commission is governed by seven governor-appointed commissioners serving staggered 7-year terms, with day-to-day operations run by a two-person staff: Executive Director Joseph (Joe) Bailey and Administrative Coordinator Carsyn Murphy. Key assets it stewards include the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS), a 445-mile, 18-lock-and-dam federal navigation system designated Marine Highway 40 Corridor (M-40) by MARAD, carrying approximately 12 million tons of freight annually.

The Commission's primary product is the Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program, which reinvests ad valorem taxes paid by industries on commodities shipped via Arkansas waterways into public ports and intermodal authorities for capital improvements (10% local match required) and dredging projects (50% local match required). The CY2025 available funding pool is $3,254,967.38, and the October 2025 grant round deployed over $4.6M across five recipients. The Commission does not sell commercial products; its activities are funded by Arkansas general revenue appropriations supplemented by its authority to receive federal, state, and private funds, donations, or grants. Customer segments are exclusively governmental: Arkansas public port authorities, regional intermodal authorities (seven operating or in development), and waterway shipping industries. Strategic partners include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, MARAD, EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and academic research partners MarTREC and Arkansas Research Alliance.

Independent economic impact analysis attributes $22.7B in nationwide sales impact, 137,621 jobs, and $806M in business tax revenue to MKARNS, with the Arkansas segment alone contributing 40,558 jobs and $185.3M in state tax revenue. Barge transportation is positioned at $0.97 per ton-mile versus $2.53 for rail and $5.35 for trucking, with 514 ton-miles per gallon of fuel. Approximately 200 million tons of commodities pass Arkansas annually on the Mississippi River, and $5B in private investment has flowed into MKARNS-adjacent facilities since 1971.

Name

Arkansas Waterways Commission

Legal name

Arkansas Waterways Commission

Website

https://waterways.arkansas.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Arkansas Waterways Commission is the sole state agency developing and protecting waterborne transportation in Arkansas across five navigable rivers, administering grant programs and coordinating port and intermodal infrastructure as a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Inland Waterway Transportation Management

NAICS

Inland Water Transportation (4832), Water Transportation (483), Inland Water Freight Transportation (483211)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Energy, Utilities & Natural Resources Regulators (BPAIAOAJ)

Keywords

• Inland waterway transportation
• Port infrastructure grants
• Intermodal coordination
• Navigation system management
• Waterborne commerce promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Little Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. State General Revenue: Activities of the Commission are funded from general revenue appropriated by the Arkansas General Assembly. The Commission has authority to receive and use federal, state, or private funds, donations, or grants.
2. Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program: Reinvests ad valorem tax paid by industries on the value of barges utilizing Arkansas' navigable waterways into public ports and intermodal authorities for capital improvements and dredging projects. CY2025 available funding is $3,254,967.38.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Arkansas Waterways Commission is a state government agency that develops, promotes, and protects waterborne transportation in Arkansas across five commercially navigable rivers. It administers a state-funded grant program that reinvests ad valorem taxes into port capital improvements and dredging, manages the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, and coordinates intermodal transportation development with regional authorities.

Product overview

The Arkansas Waterways Commission is a state government agency (division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce) that serves as the sole state agency responsible for developing, promoting, and protecting waterborne transportation in Arkansas. The Commission operates across five commercially navigable rivers (Arkansas, Mississippi, Ouachita, Red, and White) spanning approximately 1,800 miles. Key offerings include the Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program (which reinvests ad valorem taxes into port improvements and dredging), management of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) — a 445-mile navigation system with 18 locks and dams — and coordination services for ports, terminals, and intermodal authorities across the state. The Commission also promotes economic development for river ports and provides educational resources about Arkansas' waterways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program A state grant program for Arkansas public ports and intermodal authorities that funds capital improvements and dredging projects through reinvested ad valorem tax revenue. Open to public port authorities and regional intermodal authorities operating on the state's five commercially navigable rivers; awards require a 10% match for development projects and a 50% match for dredging projects.
• McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) Management State oversight and coordination of a 445-mile inland navigation system that connects Catoosa, Oklahoma to the Mississippi River via the Arkansas River. Includes 18 locks and dams maintaining navigable water levels across a 420-foot elevation drop and supports approximately 12 million tons of annual freight.
• Statewide Waterway System Oversight Statutory oversight, policy development, and economic development coordination for waterborne transportation across Arkansas's five commercially navigable rivers: the Arkansas, Mississippi, Ouachita, Red, and White Rivers. Provides the state-level authority for waterway-related economic development and infrastructure protection.
• Port and Terminal Coordination Services Information, listing, and coordination services for public ports and terminals across Arkansas's navigable rivers, including Arkansas River ports (Fort Smith, Little Rock, Pine Bluff), Mississippi River ports (Osceola, Helena-West Helena, Yellow Bend), Ouachita River ports (Camden, Crossett), and White River facilities.
• Intermodal Transportation Coordination Coordination and support for intermodal transportation incorporating multiple modes (rail, barge, truck) across Arkansas. Works directly with regional intermodal authorities including Southeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority, Central Arkansas Intermodal Authority, Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority (NEARIFA), Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority, Southwest Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority, South Mississippi County Intermodal Authority, and Little River County Intermodal Authority.

Quantifiable outcome

• Arkansas ranks 3rd in the nation in inland waterway miles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United States Army Corps of EngineerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSACE has responsibility for planning, improving, and maintaining the inland river system for flood control, navigation, and recreation. It operates most locks and dams on the inland waterways system and administers Section 10 and Section 404 federal permit programs.
• United States Coast GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResponsible for establishment of navigation regulations, operation and maintenance of physical aids to navigation, search and rescue, and enforcement of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Also administers recreational boating safety programs and bridge regulations over navigable waterways.
• U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharged with promoting a merchant marine sufficient to carry the nation's domestic waterborne commerce. MARAD administers programs for the industry and undertakes research to support the industry. Designated MKARNS as Marine Highway 40 Corridor (M-40).
• Arkansas Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState transportation agency partnering on intermodal development and port access projects.
• Arkansas Economic Development CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency working with the Commission on promoting port development and economic growth.
• Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center (MarTREC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Arkansas research center that partially funded the MKARNS Regional Economic Impact Study updated in 2024.
• Arkansas Research AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch consortium that partially funded the MKARNS Regional Economic Impact Study.
• Arkansas Department of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arkansas Waterways Commission is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce. Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald announced the appointment of Executive Director Joseph Bailey.
• Southeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities AuthoritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeveloping a regional intermodal facility near Highway 530 and I-69 connector with approximately 350 acres of land and access to Arkansas Midland Railroad.
• Central Arkansas Intermodal AuthoritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConway and Perry Counties formed authority developing a Port on the Arkansas River. Currently in development phase of an intermodal park.
• Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority (NEARIFA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreated in September 2009 through Arkansas State Legislature act to create and promote intermodal and multimodal assets in the region, serving Randolph, Lawrence counties and Corning, Pocahontas, and Walnut Ridge.
• Western Arkansas Intermodal AuthoritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlanning and developing initiatives for transportation improvements benefiting the Western Arkansas region, especially movement of goods and freight.
• Southwest Arkansas Regional Intermodal AuthoritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFormed in February 2010 with Clark County joining three other counties to operate under Act 690 of 1997 for industrial parks with freight support services.
• South Mississippi County Intermodal AuthoritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrengthening Arkansas' multimodal transportation network along the Mississippi River through strategic planning, infrastructure development, and grant acquisition.
• Little River County Intermodal AuthorityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperating in Ashdown, Arkansas since 2015. Progress includes land purchase, clearing, and environmental studies.
• Environmental Protection AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvolved in pollution control and noise control related to waterways.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers various laws regarding protection of fish and wildlife resources related to waterways.
• Oklahoma Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the MKARNS Regional Economic Impact Study. MKARNS provides navigation through Oklahoma to Catoosa, near Tulsa.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• American Waterways Operators: The national tugboat, towboat, and barge industry trade association. Comparable to AWC as a stakeholder ecosystem partner promoting waterborne transportation, though AWC is governmental and AWO is industry-led.
• National Waterways Conference: National trade association advocating for waterborne commerce and inland/waterway infrastructure. Highly comparable to AWC in mission and advocacy focus, though operating at the federal/national level rather than as a single state agency.
• Waterways Council Inc. National public-private advocacy organization focused on modernizing inland waterways infrastructure. Comparable to AWC in promoting waterway investment and lock/dam modernization, though national in scope.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Federal agency responsible for operating most locks and dams on the inland waterways system, including on MKARNS. Comparable to AWC as the federal counterpart that actually maintains the navigation infrastructure AWC promotes — without USACE, AWC's value proposition collapses.
• Maritime Administration (MARAD): U.S. DOT agency that designated MKARNS as Marine Highway M-40 and promotes domestic waterborne commerce. Comparable to AWC as a federal partner with overlapping mission on waterborne transportation promotion and policy.

Emerging players

• Port of South Louisiana: Largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere on the Mississippi River. Comparable as a public port authority with overlapping Mississippi River commercial activity, though operating at significantly greater scale than AWC's individual port grantees.

Regional players

• Oklahoma Department of Transportation: State transportation agency and AWC partner on the MKARNS Regional Economic Impact Study. Comparable as a state-level counterpart for the Oklahoma portion of the same McClellan-Kerr navigation system that AWC promotes.
• Tennessee Department of Transportation: State transportation agency with waterway responsibilities on the Mississippi and Tennessee River systems. Comparable to AWC as another state-level transportation/waterway authority, though operating in a neighboring jurisdiction with a different governance model.

Direct peers

• Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Port Authority: Arkansas public port authority on the Arkansas River where AWC Commissioner Phyllis Harden serves as Vice-Chairman. Directly comparable as a port authority within AWC's service area that depends on the Commission's grant programs and coordination.
• Little Rock Port Authority: Arkansas public port authority and direct AWC grant recipient ($665,552.62 in 2025). Comparable as a public port entity that AWC serves, sharing the Arkansas waterborne transportation ecosystem and overlapping stakeholders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArkWaterways
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ArkansasWaterways
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArkWaterways
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arkansas-waterways-commission
• Instagraminstagram.com/arkwaterways

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Arkansas Waterways Commission