{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox river | name = Cache River | name_native = | name_native_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology = <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP --> | image = Cache River in Woodruff County, AR 001.jpg | image_size = 300 | image_caption = Cache River, Woodruff County | map = Cacherivermap.png | map_size = 300 | map_caption = Map of the Cache River | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = 300 | pushpin_map_caption= <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = United States | subdivision_type2 = State | subdivision_name2 = Arkansas | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = City | subdivision_name5 = Clarendon <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length = {{convert|213|mi|km|abbr=on}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= Cotton Plant, Arkansas | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = 1,461 cu/ft. per sec.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/uv/?site_no=07077555&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060|title = USGS Current Conditions for USGS 07077555 Cache River near Cotton Plant, AR}}</ref> | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = Unnamed drainage ditches | source1_location = Butler County, Missouri | source1_coordinates= {{coord|36|13|40|N|90|36|42|W|display=inline}} | source1_elevation = | mouth = White River (Arkansas) | mouth_location = Clarendon, Arkansas | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|34|42|7|N|91|19|30|W|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = {{convert|151|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url= {{GNIS 3|76485}} |title= Cache River |work= Geographic Names Information System |publisher= United States Geological Survey |accessdate =2014-01-11}}</ref> | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = Bayou De View | custom_label = Protection status | custom_data = {{Designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = Ramsar | designation1_offname = Cache-Lower White Rivers | designation1_date = 21 November 1989 | designation1_number = 442<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cache-Lower White Rivers|website=Ramsar Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/442|accessdate=25 April 2018}}</ref>}} | extra = }} The '''Cache River''' is a tributary of the White River, 213&nbsp;mi (343&nbsp;km) long, in northeastern Arkansas in the United States. Its headwaters also drain a small portion of southeastern Missouri. Via the White River, the Cache is part of the Mississippi River watershed, placing the river and surrounding watershed in the Arkansas Delta.

==Ecology== The river supports 53 mammalian species, over 200 bird species, and nearly 50 species of reptiles and amphibians. The refuge is also the most important wintering area for mallard ducks and other migratory waterfowl on the continent. As a result, low-lying areas in the vicinity of the river's lower course are a popular destination for duck hunters. This is also where the ivory-billed woodpecker was recently speculated to have been sighted (after it was believed to be extinct for 60 years).<ref>Audubon Magazine, July–August, 2007. Page 16. ''The Ivory Bill, Giving Up The Ghost?''</ref> The watershed also contains the largest remaining tract of contiguous bottomland hardwood forest found in North America. Because of these combination of these unique features, the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge was created along approximately {{convert|90|mi|km}} along the river's lower reaches this location was also used by team trees to plant 20 million trees.<ref>{{ Cite encyclopedia |title= Cache River National Wildlife Refuge |url= http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=3503 |encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture |publisher= Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System |date= March 24, 2014 |last= Barnett |first= Paula Harmon |accessdate= January 23, 2016 }}</ref>

==Hydrology== The Cache is formed by a confluence of agricultural ditches in Butler County, Missouri and soon enters Arkansas, flowing generally south-southwestwardly. Several portions of the river's upper course have been straightened and channelized. It joins the White River at the town of Clarendon, Arkansas.

The river is a slow muddy river with meandering channels, sloughs, swampy areas, and oxbow lakes.

==History== During the American Civil War, the Battle of Cotton Plant was fought along the Cache River at the town of Cotton Plant.

===Etymology=== The name of the river is probably a Picardie word meaning "hunt" as a reference to the abundant wildlife along the river. The first explorer into the area was Father Marquette, for whom Picard was the native tongue.

==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Cache River.jpg|The Cache River near Cotton Plant, Arkansas Cache River in Woodruff County, AR 002.jpg|In Woodruff County Refuge Managers Worry that Weeks of Inundation Will Damage Bottomland Hardwood Forests, as Seen Here on Cache River National Wildlife Refuge (5758554905).jpg|Inundated hardwood forest along the Cache River </gallery>

==See also== *List of Arkansas rivers *List of Missouri rivers

==References== {{reflist}}

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Category:Rivers of Arkansas Category:Rivers of Missouri Category:Tributaries of the White River (Arkansas–Missouri) Category:Bodies of water of Clay County, Arkansas Category:Bodies of water of Greene County, Arkansas Category:Bodies of water of Craighead County, Arkansas Category:Bodies of water of Jackson County, Arkansas Category:Bodies of water of Woodruff County, Arkansas Category:Bodies of water of Monroe County, Arkansas Category:Bodies of water of Prairie County, Arkansas Category:Ramsar sites in the United States Category:Rivers of Butler County, Missouri