[4] The upper one-half of the Blue River transverses the Arbuckle Plains, a limestone area with many springs and caves.

Underlying the region is the Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer, a source of drinking water for nearby cities and towns.

The upper Blue has many gentle rapids and low waterfalls as it cuts through limestone outcrops and flows over travertine ledges.

3,367 acres (1,363 ha) along 9 km (5.6 miles) of the river north and south of State Highway 7 are owned by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation with fishing, hunting, and hiking permitted.

[6] Canoeing and kayaking is popular along 9.5 miles of the river which has class II and III rapids, dropping over about 50 ledges and waterfalls from 2 to 12 feet high.

[8] Another threat to the river is the fact that, over the last 200 years, native trees were cut down along its banks to provide for hay meadows, which in turn opens the door to erosion problems.

[9] The Nature Conservancy and other groups are cooperating to plant a variety of trees along the river’s route, and helping other private landowners do the same.