Midway, Lee County, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Midway, Arkansas
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 Midway, Lee County, Arkansas
Location in Arkansas
Midway, Lee County, Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Lee |
| Elevation | 203 ft (62 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 870 |
| GNIS feature ID | 58170 |
Midway is a small, quiet place in Lee County, Arkansas, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it does not have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it is managed by the county. Midway is located right next to Midway Lake. This lake is a special type of lake called an oxbow lake. It is about 19 miles (30 kilometers) east-northeast of the town of Marianna.
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What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community like Midway is a group of homes or buildings that are not part of an official city or town. They do not have a mayor or a city council. Instead, the county government handles services for them. These services include things like roads, police, and fire protection.
How Unincorporated Areas are Different
Cities and towns have clear borders and their own local laws. Unincorporated areas do not have these things. People living in Midway follow the rules set by Lee County. They also pay taxes to the county. Many small communities across the United States are unincorporated.
Geography of Midway
Midway is in eastern Arkansas, a state known for its beautiful natural areas. The community sits in Lee County, which is part of the Arkansas Delta region. This area is mostly flat and fertile. It is near the famous Mississippi River.
Midway Lake: An Oxbow Lake
Midway Lake is a key feature of the area. It is an example of an oxbow lake. An oxbow lake forms when a river changes its path over time. Rivers, especially large ones like the Mississippi, often curve and bend. Sometimes, a bend becomes so wide that the river cuts a new, straighter path. The old bend then gets cut off from the main river. This creates a U-shaped lake, which looks a bit like the bow (or yoke) used to harness an ox.
How Oxbow Lakes Form
Imagine a winding river. Over many years, the water erodes the outer banks of the bends. It also deposits soil on the inner banks. This makes the bends grow larger and larger. Eventually, two parts of a bend get very close. During a flood, the river might break through the narrow land between them. The river then flows along this new, straighter path. The old loop is left behind as a separate lake. Oxbow lakes are often found in floodplains, which are flat areas next to rivers.
Location in Arkansas
Midway's location near the Mississippi River means it is in a region with rich soil. This soil is good for farming. The area around Midway is mostly rural, meaning it has a lot of open land and farms rather than big cities. Being close to Marianna, a larger town, means residents can access more services and shops when needed.
