Lock no. 2 is located on the man-made Arkansas Post Canal that connects the Arkansas River with the White River. Wilber D. Mills Dam is located on the main stem of the Arkansas River. Overnight camping is available in Merrisach Lake Park near Lock No. 2, Wilbur D. Mills Park downstream from the dam, and Pendleton Bend Park upstream from the dam. World-class bass and crappie fishing is found in Pool 2. The tailwaters of the dam and Joe Hardin Dam upstream provide excellent opportunities to catch catfish. In the Arkansas area visitors can experience history at the national memorial at Arkansas Post. Here, in 1686, Henri de Tonti established the first village west of the Mississippi River. In 1819 Arkansas Post became the capital of the Arkansas Territory until the Civil War. Parks offer modern amenities such as boat launching ramps, drinking water, camping areas, picnic sites and other facilities for the convenience of all.

The area now known as Wilbur D. Mills Pool in Arkansas has a history that reflects its evolving land use and ownership over time. Originally, the site was part of a vast expanse of natural wetlands typical to the region.

In 1964, Congressman Wilbur Daigh Mills played an instrumental role in securing federal funding for flood control projects across his home state. As part of these efforts, man-made pools were created for water management purposes; one such pool would later bear his name due to his contributions.

Prior to becoming a park dedicated to public recreation and wildlife conservation, this tract underwent various transformations influenced by local agricultural practices common throughout rural Arkansas-primarily rice farming which shaped much of the surrounding landscape's development during the mid-20th century.

Ownership records indicate that before being designated as protected public lands managed by governmental entities like U.S Army Corps Engineers or State Parks Departments (depending on jurisdictional changes), parcels may have been held privately with usage rights tied closely to regional agrarian economies prevalent at different historical periods.

Within what is today recognized as recreational grounds are remnants from past eras: levees constructed originally for flood mitigation still stand alongside other infrastructure elements repurposed into amenities supporting outdoor activities including fishing platforms and walking trails highlighting native flora/fauna diversity characteristic within Delta environments found hereabouts.