(Des Moines) While some parts of Iowa continue to experience high and rising flood waters, other communities are in recovery and clean-up mode. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources encourages people to put safety first and avoid flood waters until after they recede.
Many rivers and lakes in Iowa are unsafe for swimming or boating due to fast currents, floating debris, hidden obstacles, and the potential of bacteria. Boaters and paddlers should plan ahead as additional areas may become unsafe as flood waters move downstream.
Several Iowa state parks have alerts and closures due to high waters, including:
-Dolliver Memorial State Park – the entire park is closed due to the Des Moines River flooding.
-Fairport State Recreation Area – the campground and boat ramp are closed due to high water on the Mississippi River.
-Fort Defiance State Park – trails are closed due to flood debris and damage to bridges.
-George Wyth State Park – the entire park is closed due to high water.
-Great Lakes area – several state park beaches, docks and ramps are still underwater. Gull Point park and campground are closed. Existing campground reservations at Emerson Bay, Elinor Bedell, and Marble Beach are being honored, but new reservations or walk-in camping are unavailable through at least July 7. All other parks in the region remain open but caution is advised.
-Lake Manawa State Park – the park is open but Catfish Road is closed due to high water.
-Ledges State Park – the park is open but the Canyon Road, Lower Ledges Road, the Des Moines River boat ramp and Flood Pole parking lot are closed.
-Stone State Park – the west entrance is currently closed while park staff clean up debris left behind by receding floodwaters. The east entrance is open.
-Wilson Island State Recreation Area – the park is closed due to Missouri River flooding.
For latest updates, visit the DNR’s state park alerts and closure web page.
