waiting. . .
Last Week
Here we are. It’s June 24th, and appart from the realization that I’ll be turning 43 in a few days I’m also waiting just like you to find out if the park will open this week. Now to be sure, the area is drying out. Most roads are again open and other than some brown grass here and there things look almost back to normal in much of the region. We’ve watched as DNR trucks with busses of volunteers headed out to trouble spots over the last week and can only guess if they will have dealt with enough issues to open the park again. The announcement should come today or tomarrow.
Closed through 25th
From The Park: "The park is closed for all use through June 25, including campers, day users, boaters, walkers, and driving sightseers. Rainwater and flooding have washed out some campsites, high water makes roads impassable in several places, railroad tracks have been washed out, and sewer and water utilities are down in some areas. We expect to have an update on the status of the park on Tuesday, June 24."
perspective
Later in the Week park staff will be meeting to assess the possibilities of opening the park. However, there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed. I’ve received lots of email varying from support and best wishes to frustration and anger. First I should just remind everyone that this website is NOT an official park website. I’m thankful that the park has always been supportive, but I should note that complaints are not something I can do much about. As of Saturday the park phone system was not working but the hope is that it will be back up today.
Regarding reservations you should call the Wisconsin State parks reservation center in Madison at 888-947-2757 to change reservations or request refunds. I have no official comment yet, (I have asked for one) however I can’t imagine that cancelation fees will be charged in the end. Again, that’s a guess.
Lastly I posted the above photo from North Freedom just a few miles to the west. Many homes in North Freedom, Rock Springs, Baraboo and other communities have been in the path of the water. These guys are going to really hurting as they deal with the clean up. It sucks to have the park closed and our camping vacations messed up, still we are talking about vacations and not our homes. It’s worth putting that in a bit of perspective.
no news is. . .
No news today. The park added a little note that "closed" means no walking in by foot either!. I remember that from when I worked there in the 93 flood. I spent all of one day standing by the the North Shore exit as people tried to walk in on the railroad tracks. Can’t say I did’nt understand of course. Curiosity gets the best of us sometimes. The photo above is from Thursday. This was the 2 inches that finally closed the park. Not to mention flooded many streets in Baraboo and resulted in calling the Ducks down from Wisconsin Dells to help get some folks off their roofs.
It’s worth noting that both DUCK companies sent down their vehicles to help out. I mention this since one company is being more modest. Thanks to both.
CLOSED
Here is the statement from the park:
Conditions as of Friday, June 13, 2008:
The park is closed until further notice because of flooding and related damage.
Roads in the park and surrounding area are closed, and the park is without drinking water and sewers. Pumps are not working.
Staff will reassess the situation Wednesday night.
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The bottom line is that after those 2 days of sun things were wet but still ok. Yesterday the rain was back with a fury.