Water resources data for the 1986 water year for Arkansas consist of records of gage height, discharge, and water quality of streams; water quality of lakes; and water levels and water quality of wells. This report contains discharge records for 48 gaging stations; water quality for 154 stations, 73 partial-record stations, 5 observation wells, and 1 precipitation station, and water levels for 96 observation wells. Also included are data for 85 crest-stage partial record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data-collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Arkansas.

Records of discharge or gage height of streams, and contents or elevation of lakes were first published in a series of U.S. Geological Survey water-supply papers entitled "Surface Water Supply of the United States." Through September 30, 1960, these water-supply papers were in an annual series and for 1961-65 and 1966-70 were in a 5 -year series. Records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and suspended sediment were published from 1941 to 1970 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States." Records of ground-water levels were published from 1935 to 1974 in a series of water-supply papers entitled "Ground Water Levels in the United States." Water-supply papers may be consulted in the libraries of the principal cities in the United States or may be purchased from Branch of Distribution, U.S. Geological Survey, 1200 South Eads Street, Arlington, VA 22202.

For water years 1961 through 1974, streamflow data were released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. Water-quality records for water years 1964 through 1974 were similarly released, either in separate reports or in conjuction with streamflow records. Beginning with the 1975 water year, water data for streamflow, water quality, and ground water are published as an official Survey report on a State-boundary basis. These official Survey reports carry an identification number consisting of the two-letter State abbreviation, the last two digits of the water year, and the volume number. For example, this report is identified as "U.S. Geological Survey Water Data Report AR-86-1."