Recovery continues at recreation sites across the Mark Twain National Forest from last week’s flooding. Some areas in Missouri received nearly 15 inches of rain, with the heavy rainfall more localized than the widespread flooding that affected Missouri in 2017. Following a heavy rainfall event, it takes time for water to recede so employees can access sites for assessment of structural damage, conduct clean-up operations, and repair areas so they are safe for visitors to return. Forest Service staff, including recreation specialists, engineers, and resource managers, all pitched in to visit campgrounds, recreation sites, boat ramps, reservoir dams, roads, and trails to understand the impacts from the high waters.
Many sites are now in pretty good shape after just a few days of recovery work. Recreation technicians were busy shoveling mud out restroom buildings while dozer operators cleared debris and mud from paved parking lots and entry roads. Several boat ramps have been cleared above the waterline. Hazards may still exist below the water, and muddy sites will remain until the next rain. Boat ramps and retaining walls will be reassessed when the water recedes more.
“Flooding always presents a recovery challenge at many of the Forest’s recreation sites, and I’m proud to see my employees’ determination and teamwork to get sites reopened for the public as quickly as possible,” stated Forest Supervisor Vince Keeler.
On the Eleven Point Ranger District in Van Buren, the Watercress Recreation Area received substantive damage. A workday in early December is already being planned for Watercress, at a time when partner groups will be able to lend some additional equipment and people to help with the task of site-wide cleanup. Clearing the day-use area and boat ramp will be a priority, but the campground may remain closed for the season while assessments and repairs get scheduled. Also on the Current River, Bay Nothing has been cleared of debris and is open, but the Deer Leap Campground is still being cleaned up and may be open in the next week.
On the Eleven Point River, Mark Twain National Forest crews have already reopened Riverton East, Riverton West, 142 Access, and the Narrows. Work currently remains at Turner South, but the clearing of large debris and site cleanup is expected to be completed in the next week. Thomasville, also on the Eleven Point River, will remain closed indefinitely until repairs can be scheduled and completed.
The North Fork Recreation Area (west of West Plains) had the most damage of the Forest’s sites. The campground is currently closed for the season. The focus is to clear the day-use and boat ramp portions as soon as possible while the repairs to the infrastructure in the campground are being planned and scheduled. The campground will be closed until further notice.
Lane Spring Recreation Area on the Houston Ranger district in Phelps County was also impacted by the high waters. It is now closed for the season. It is expected to be open in the spring with at least partial functionality and limited amenities. Clearing, debris removal, and repairs of minor infrastructure damage will be conducted over the winter.
Aside from North Fork and Lane Spring, many other sites were affected by flooding on the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs District and the Houston and Rolla Units of the Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District. Paddy Creek’s day-use area remains open; however, the campground sustained heavy sediment deposits and minor damage. Debris removal and clearing in the campground should be completed in time to open next season. The Slabtown Boat launch is now open for visitor use, but the toilers are off-line and will remain closed until they can be repaired. The Chadwick trail system received limited damage from the rains, and Forest crews are working to fix trail damage and remove downed trees from the trail. This work will be ongoing through the off season. It will take time to identify areas for needed trail maintenance and to find where downed trees need to be removed, visitors should expect to find these situations.
While the clean-up continues, amenities that visitors have come to expect like toilets or water may not be available, so plan and prepare accordingly. Sites on the Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District, the Salem Ranger District, the Poplar Bluff Ranger district, and the Cedar Creek unit near Fulton, were spared by the worst of the flooding event, and no out-of-season closures are in place for any sites on those Districts.
