Boston Mountains

2025-05-26T14:32:51Z

98.97.3.207: Added Marion County to the list of counties in Arkansas in which the Boston Mountains reside.

{{Short description|Highland ecoregion in Arkansas and Oklahoma, United States}}
{{Infobox ecoregion
|name=Boston Mountains ecoregion
|image=Buffalo national river steel creek overlook.jpg
|image_caption=View from Steel Creek Overlook on the [[Buffalo National River]]
|map=File:Boston Mountains ecoregion, Level III.png
|area=14190
|map_caption=Level III ecoregions in the region, with the Boston Mountains ecoregion marked as (38) ([[:File:Level III ecoregions, United States.png|full map]])
|climate=[[Humid subtropical]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Cwa]])
|border=[[Ozark Highlands (ecoregion)|Ozark Highlands (39)]]
|border1= [[Arkansas Valley (ecoregion)|Arkansas Valley (37)]]
|border2= [[Central Irregular Plains (ecoregion)|Central Irregular Plains (40)]]
|border3=
|border4=
|border5=
|coordinates = {{coord|35|47|28|N|93|6|24|W|type:river_region:US_dim:50km|display=title}}
|country=United States
|state=Arkansas
|state1=Oklahoma
|state2=
}}
The '''Boston Mountains''' is a [[List of ecoregions in the United States (EPA)|Level III ecoregion]] designated by the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) in the [[U.S. states]] of [[Arkansas]] and [[Oklahoma]]. Part of the [[Ozarks]], the Boston Mountains are a deeply [[dissected plateau]]. The ecoregion is steeper than the adjacent [[Springfield Plateau]] to the north, and bordered on the south by the [[Arkansas Valley (ecoregion)|Arkansas Valley]]. The Oklahoma portion of the range is locally referred to as the [[Cookson Hills]]. There are several theories of how the mountains were named, though apparently none are related to the Massachusetts city.<ref>[https://www.aymag.com/arkansas-boston-mountains/ Arkansas’ Boston Mountains]</ref>

The Boston Mountains ecoregion has been subdivided into two [[List of ecoregions in the United States (EPA)|Level IV ecoregions]].<ref name=ark4>{{USGS|title=Ecoregions of Arkansas|comment=color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs |last1=Woods|first1=AJ|last2=Foti|first2=TL|last3=Chapman|first3=SS|last4=Omernik|first4=JM|display-authors=et al | url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Level_IV_ecoregions,_Arkansas.pdf }}</ref><ref name=ok4>{{USGS|author=Woods, A.J., Omernik, J.M., Butler, D.R., Ford, J.G., Henley, J.E., Hoagland, B.W., Arndt, D.S., and Moran, B.C. |title=Ecoregions of Oklahoma |comment=color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs | url=ftp://newftp.epa.gov/EPADataCommons/ORD/Ecoregions/ok/ok_front.pdf |access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref>

==Description==
The ecoregion is mountainous, forested, and underlain by [[Pennsylvanian (geology)|Pennsylvanian]] [[sandstone]], [[shale]], and [[siltstone]]. It is one of the Ozark Plateaus; some folding and faulting has occurred but, in general, strata are much less deformed than in the [[Ouachita Mountains]]. Maximum elevations are higher, soils have a warmer temperature regime, and carbonate rocks are much less extensive than in the [[Ozark Highlands]]. Physiography is distinct from the [[Arkansas Valley (ecoregion)|Arkansas Valley]]. Upland soils are mostly [[Ultisols]] that developed under [[oak-hickory forest|oak-hickory]] and [[oak-hickory-pine forest]]s. Today, forests are still widespread; [[northern red oak]], [[southern red oak]], [[white oak]], and hickories usually dominate the uplands, but [[shortleaf pine]] grows on drier, south- and west-facing slopes underlain by sandstone. Pastureland or hayland occur on nearly level ridgetops, benches, and valley floors. Population density is low; recreation, logging, and livestock farming are the primary land uses. Water quality in streams is generally exceptional; biochemical, nutrient, and mineral water quality parameter concentrations all tend to be very low. Fish communities are mostly composed of sensitive species; a diverse, often darter-dominated community occurs along with nearly equal proportions of minnows and sunfishes. During low flows, streams usually run clear but, during high flow conditions, turbidity in the Boston Mountains tends to be greater than in the Ouachitas. Summer flow in many small streams is limited or non-existent but isolated, enduring pools may occur.<ref name=ark4/>

==Geology and physiography==
[[File:BostMtnOv2.png|right|thumb|Boston Range spanning northwestern Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma]]
The Boston Mountains are a [[Physiographic regions of the world|physiographic section]] of the larger [[The Ozarks|Ozark Plateaus]] province, which in turn is part of the larger [[U.S. Interior Highlands|Interior Highlands]] physiographic division.<ref name="USGS-Water">{{cite web |title=Physiographic divisions of the conterminous U. S. |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |url=http://water.usgs.gov/GIS/metadata/usgswrd/XML/physio.xml |access-date=2007-12-06 }}</ref>

The area is underlain by Pennsylvanian sandstone, shale, and siltstone, where some folding and faulting has occurred.<ref>{{cite web |title=Designing A Future For Arkansas Wildlife |publisher=State of Arkansas |url=http://www.wildlifearkansas.com/boston.html |access-date=2007-12-30 }}</ref> The sandstone beds become thinner with higher shale content in the west as the mountains decline in elevation.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bowman |first=Isaiah |title=Forest Physiography: Physiography of the United States and Principles of Soils in Relation to Forestry |publisher=J. Wiley & sons |year=1911 |page=[https://archive.org/details/forestphysiogra02bowmgoog/page/n485 453] |isbn=9780405026591 |url=https://archive.org/details/forestphysiogra02bowmgoog |quote=boston mountains physiography. }}</ref>

The range covers an area of {{convert|5770|sqmi|km2}}.<ref name=EOHC-BostonMts>[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=BO022 Gromadzki, Gregory and Richard Marston. "Boston Mountains". ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.] Accessed September 27, 2016.</ref> The rocks of the region are essentially little disturbed, flat-lying [[sedimentary]] layers of the [[Paleozoic]] age. The highest ridges and peaks are capped by [[Pennsylvanian (geology)|Pennsylvanian]] [[sandstone]] and [[shale]]. The deeply eroded valleys are cut into [[Mississippian age|Mississippian]] [[limestone]]s and below that layer [[Ordovician]] [[Dolomite (rock)|dolomite]]s.

==General description==
The Boston Mountains form the southwestern part of the [[The Ozarks|Ozark]] plateau where they are the highest portion of the Ozarks. Summits can reach elevations of just over {{convert|2,560| feet|m}} with valleys {{convert|500| feet|m}} to {{convert|1550| feet|m}} deep. Wahzhazhe Summit (formerly known as Buffalo Lookout), is the highest point in the Ozarks at {{convert|2,561|ft|m}}, and is located in the Boston Mountains, {{convert|6.2|mi|km}} east of [[Boston, Arkansas|Boston, Madison County, Arkansas]], at N35.8637°, W093.4931°. Wahzhazhe is the [[Osage Nation|Osage people]]’s name for themselves in the [[Dhegihan languages|Dhegiha Siouan language]]. Turner Ward Knob (TWK) is the second highest named peak, {{convert|2.2| miles|km}} east of Wahzhazhe Summit. Its elevation is {{convert|2463|ft}}. Nearby, four other unnamed peaks have elevations at or slightly above {{convert|2560|ft}}.<ref name=Fallsville>''Fallsville, Arkansas,'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1967</ref> The other three highest peaks are located {{convert|4–5| miles|km}} south-southwest of Turner Ward Knob along [[Arkansas Highway 16]].<ref name=Fallsville/><ref>''Boston, Arkansas,'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1973</ref><ref>[NAD83 geographic coordinates for TWK are N35.8631°, W093.4544°. Coordinates for the four unnamed highest peaks are N35.8607°, W093.4935°; N35.8151°, W093.4968°; N35.8126°, W093.4984°; and N35.7990°, W093.5005°]</ref> All of these highest points are located in the westernmost part of [[Newton County, Arkansas]].

==Rivers and streams==
The Boston Mountains are the source of rivers and streams that flow out from the mountains in all directions. Within a {{convert|3|mile|m}} radius of a point just west of the summits discussed above are located the sources of the [[White River (Arkansas)|White River]], the [[Buffalo National River|Buffalo River]], the [[Kings River (Arkansas)|Kings River]], [[War Eagle Creek]], and [[Little Mulberry Creek]]. Other rivers and streams having their headwaters in the Boston Mountains include the [[Illinois River (Oklahoma)|Illinois River]], the [[Mulberry River (Arkansas)|Mulberry River]], [[Lee Creek (Arkansas)|Lee Creek]], Frog Bayou, Big Piney Creek, Illinois Bayou, and the [[Little Red River (Arkansas)|Little Red River]]. To the south, the [[Arkansas River]] valley separates the Boston Mountains from the [[Ouachita Mountains]].

In Arkansas, the Boston Mountains are found in the following counties: [[Boone County, Arkansas|Boone]], [[Carroll County, Arkansas|Carroll]], [[Cleburne County, Arkansas|Cleburne]], [[Conway County, Arkansas|Conway]], [[Crawford County, Arkansas|Crawford]], [[Franklin County, Arkansas|Franklin]], [[Independence County, Arkansas|Independence]], [[Johnson County, Arkansas|Johnson]], [[Madison County, Arkansas|Madison]], [[Marion County, Arkansas|Marion]], [[Newton County, Arkansas|Newton]], [[Pope County, Arkansas|Pope]], [[Searcy County, Arkansas|Searcy]], [[Stone County, Arkansas|Stone]], [[Van Buren County, Arkansas|Van Buren]], and [[Washington County, Arkansas|Washington]].

In Oklahoma, the Boston Mountains are found in these counties: [[Adair County, Oklahoma|Adair]], [[Cherokee County, Oklahoma|Cherokee]], [[Muskogee County, Oklahoma|Muskogee]], [[Sequoyah County, Oklahoma|Sequoyah]], and [[Wagoner County, Oklahoma|Wagoner]].

==Gallery==
===Landscapes===
<gallery mode="packed" heights=180px>
File:Near Whitaker Point - Hawksbill Crag - panoramio.jpg|Buffalo Wilderness
File:Hawksbill Crag trail 006.jpg|View from Hawksbill Crag
File:Boston Mountains. Looking East on Gaither Mountain.jpg|Looking east on Gaither Mountain from [[Arkansas Highway 43|AR 43]]. The plateau of the Boston Mountains is clearly visible on the right.
File:BuffaloRiver.jpg|Buffalo River from river trail overlook near Steel Creek in the Boston Mountains
File:Low Gap, Arkansas 002.jpg|Low Gap community in the Boston Mountains
File:Scenic Lookout on White Rock Mountain.jpg|White Rock Mountain
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Cookson Hills]]
* [[Sam's Throne]]
* Ecoregions defined by the EPA and the [[Commission for Environmental Cooperation]]:
** [[List of ecoregions in North America (CEC)]]
** [[List of ecoregions in the United States (EPA)]]
** [[List of ecoregions in Arkansas]]
** [[List of ecoregions in Oklahoma]]
* The conservation group [[World Wildlife Fund]] maintains an alternate classification system:
** [[List of ecoregions (WWF)]]
** [[List of ecoregions in the United States (WWF)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050404002730/http://soilphysics.okstate.edu/S257/south/mlra/117.htm Boston Mountain MLRA description.]
* [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=BO02l ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'' -" Boston Mountains"]
*{{GNIS|70773|Boston Mountains}}

{{Ecoregions in the United States}}
{{Ecoregions in Arkansas}}
{{Mountains of Arkansas}}
{{Mountains of Oklahoma}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ecoregions of the United States]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Arkansas]]
[[Category:Flora of Arkansas| ]]
[[Category:Flora of Oklahoma| ]]
[[Category:Landforms of the Ozarks]]
[[Category:Landforms of Boone County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Carroll County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Cleburne County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Conway County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Crawford County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Franklin County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Independence County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Johnson County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Madison County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Newton County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Pope County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Searcy County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Stone County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Van Buren County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Washington County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Adair County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Landforms of Cherokee County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Landforms of Muskogee County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Landforms of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Landforms of Wagoner County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Arkansas]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Ozark–St. Francis National Forest]]
[[Category:Physiographic sections]]
[[Category:Regions of Arkansas]]
[[Category:Regions of Oklahoma]]
[[Category:U.S. Interior Highlands]]
[[Category:White River (Arkansas–Missouri)]]
[[Category:Plateaus of the United States]]

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Boston Mountains