Known only from the Ouachita River system in the Ouachita Highlands of Arkansas. Presently found in the Ouachita River and two of its major western tributaries, the Caddo and Little Missouri Rivers, with the densest populations being found in a 40 km stretch of the Ouachita River above the headwaters of the Lake Ouachita impoundment. Never abundant at any single locality. Confined only to the relatively small area of the upper Ouachita River drainage. Due to its small small population sizes and low densities at individual sites, effective conservation of this species may require a protection status and management plan from appropriate state and federal governmental agencies (Ref. 102809).