According to a press release from Missouri State Parks, the park will be closed to guests until at least Feb. 21, 2025. Park crews are actively assessing safety concerns and addressing damage to park infrastructure caused by early November flooding. The extent of the destruction and the work required to reopen the park is substantial. USGS determined flood water in the park reached 19.58 feet, according to Montauk park staff, at a velocity that peeled asphalt off Highway 119 coming into the park.
The highway has since been closed for repairs by MoDOT and will be kept closed while park staff operate heavy machinery to continue clean-up operations. Park staff continue to remove sand, gravel and woody debris from the campground and day use areas. Dent County has also closed county roads 6630, 6660, and 6670 entering the park. Dent County officials have agreed to keep the county roads closed in order for park staff to complete the cleanup of debris.
The height of the water submerged not only the campground, but also its electrical pedestals. Water also entered one of the shower houses in the campground, as well as a couple of bathrooms in the day use area.
Flooding like this is unprecedented, stated park staff. Many are comparing the flood to 2017, but the floodwaters from the past month came in significantly higher. According to the USGS’ records, there has never been something like the flood from November in the area. It wasn’t just the height of the water—it was the velocity and the force. It was destructive, urged park staff.
As a result, the park is still assessing the total financial cost of damages—as heavy equipment is continuing to remove debris and discovering more damage underneath. A MoDNR engineer has assessed the roads and the structures within the park, including the Old Mill, and given recommendations for stabilizing the structures while park staff develop a plan for repairs.
Items that need repaired before the park can officially reopen include the basic infrastructure, such as electrical, wastewater, roads and bridges, and buildings and facilities—these all need to be cleared, made safe, evaluated and repaired before visitors can reenter the park, shared park staff.
Not all of the park was devastated by floodwaters. Staff commented some buildings were left completely unaffected, to their surprise, while others were completely destroyed. For example, Cabin 7 and 8 were destroyed—the walls of the cabins were torn off by floodwater. There are plans for the buildings to be demolished and rebuilt in the future. On the bright side, the damage from the flood is repairable; for park staff, it is also an opportunity to make some needed repairs and upgrades. The process of rebuilding is estimated to take a year or more.
While the park remains closed to the public, the Missouri Department of Conservation announced that winter catch-and-release trout season at Montauk State Park has also been cancelled. Winter catch-and-release trout season remains open at Roaring River and Bennett Spring state parks and Maramec Spring Park.
The park is officially closed through Feb. 21; the exact opening date is yet to be determined, as are what amenities will be available for park guests at that time. Park staff will be reevaluating as the date approaches.
