The Poteau River flows north for its entire route. Poteau is the French word for "post" and it is believed the river was named because French explorers had to use posts or poles to navagate upstream. The city of Poteau is named after the river. The Poteau River converges with the Arkansas River at Belle Point at Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Murray River in Australia. ... Poteau is a city located in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. ... Lower Arkansas River The Arkansas River is a tributary of the Mississippi which flows east and southeast through Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and the state of Arkansas. ... Fort Smith, situated at the junction of the Arkansas and Poteau rivers, is a city and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County, Arkansas. ... Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 29th 137,732 km² 385 km 420 km 2. ...