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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.
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."
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 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. 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. —————————————— 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.
Lots of email coming and lots of questions. So for what it’s worth, here’s the "official" word on conditons posted to the DNR website; The park is open, despite 11 inches of rain in the last four days. Closures include South Shore Road, Tumbled Rocks Trail, and about 20 campsites. About half of the north shore picnic area is underwater (rainwater ponding, not overflowing lake), but at some point Sunday night the two bodies of water must have connected for a short duration, because several people have spotted large northern pike and carp in the picnic area ” ponds”! South Shore Road is closed from Ski Hi Road on the west to the south shore picnic area on the east. Access to the Group Camp, CCC parking lot, and the south shore picnic area is open from the east from Highway 113 and South Lake Drive. Both north and south boat landings are closed. Beaches are underwater, and the lake water is higher than the retaining wall abutting the sandy beach. Waders and swimmers should exercise caution about unseen drop-offs and unexpected debris in and under the water. Last year, swimmers’ itch was present for a couple of weeks in mid-summer, but otherwise there have been near zero complaints about it for several summers. Some area roads and county roads are closed due to flooding or flood damage, so allow extra time for travel in case you encounter temporary detours in the region. - Devil’s Lake Conditions As it stands the Park is actually in good condition other than areas of high water that are probably more a spectacle than anything. There is no "damage" in the campgrounds. Just a few wet sites which are drying as we speak. I don’t have any news as to specific sites that are particularly wet. Trails are open other than the Tumbled Rocks trail on the west side of the lake, and the West Bluff trail over the top of the West Bluff. This trail was actually closed before the heavy rain for maintenance due to previous rains. Remember that it’s always best to call the park with specific questions at 608-356-8301
**UPDATE: Here is more Sauk County Flood Information including Road Closing Maps
Click here for a gallery of high water pictures from the last couple days at the park. I’ll also be posting some photos from Lake Delton in Wisconsin Dells over at WisDells.net in the next day or so as well.
For the first time in some years the North Shore picnic area has flooded. Various areas within the park are underwater or at the least very wet. Most campsites are fine although a few may be particularly wet. If you have a campsite reserved for the weekend and find it to be too wet the park will do their best to find you a dryer site. I spoke with the rangers today and they tell me that the biggest issue right now is just moving around the park since some roads are now underwater as well.
So yesterday I was out playing in the lake and practicing some kayaking skills just as the storm clouds came rushing in. I met a family from Madison who told me they manage to get up to the park a couple times a year. Living 3 miles away I’m lucky I get to the park a couple times a week at least. Well, usually lucky. . there was that time the ranger pulled me over. . . “So, what brings you out to the park today?” “I was just taking some pictures for the website” “What website is that??” “DevilsLakeWisconsin.com” “hmmm, never heard of it. .” “Really??” “ I see you have the current park sticker, but your license plate sticker is past due” “Oh really, Ok. I’ll take care of that right away. . .” He called me on the phone a couple hours later to let me know he’d be sending me a ticket for over $200.00. Even the webguy doesn’t get a break!
Yeah, it doesn’t look like much but this little weed with the white flower is going crazy around the park. The Plant is called garlic mustard and it’s an invasive plant originally brought over to the United States in the 1800s. These days it’s slowly taking over the forest floors. Now here’s the deal; before and while it’s flowering you can pull it up from the root and toss it on the pavement to die and you’re doing everyone a favor. Once the white flowers fade, then you may as well leave it alone as it will be going to seed. Seeds remain viable for up to 5 years! Chances are we are not going to get ahead of this nasty plant but one can always hope.
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