Date: May 2, 2011
Contact: Carol McBryant, 870-365-2746
Buffalo National River and its tributaries continue to receive rain from current storms requiring the National Park Service to temporarily close various areas of the park. New closure added today is Lost Valley. Lost Valley is closed at Highway 43 due to rising water levels and public hazards due to ongoing flooding.
With continued rain, the park is experiencing flash flood warnings and fluctuating water levels causing unpredictable water levels and damage to access points and infrastructure throughout the park. River hazards, such as fallen trees (“stringers” and “strainers”) and debris piles continue to impede safe navigation. Campgrounds are boggy and all roads are eroded to some extent.
Floaters are advised to make sure that their proposed take-out location is accessible before putting on the river. Gravel bars should be considered unstable with a greater than usual potential for getting vehicles stuck. Roads in low areas will likely have mud deposits that could be slippery or make areas impassible to low clearance vehicles. With a reduction in the number of available landing sites, visitors may anticipate worse than usual congestion.
As of today, Sunday, May 1, the following conditions and temporary closures are in effect (upstream to downstream):
Lost Valley – NEW CLOSURE TODAY
Lost Valley closed at Highway 43 – access closed due to rising water levels.
Please stay away from the pieces of the wrecked bridge
Clark Creek Footbridge washed out.
Parking area scoured and cobble exposed
Restrooms and water are operational
Steel Creek CLOSED
Steel Creek is closed until further notice due to slumping of road bed endangering vehicular traffic
Kyles Landing
Road hazards on the upper portion of Kyles Road before it reaches the park boundary
Campground and launch accessible by road but launch area access and campground roads scoured creating ruts
Six lower level campsites were covered with flood water and are not usable. Higher level sites are in good shape
Restrooms and water are operational
Erbie Campground
Access Road is passable with some erosion
Group sites and all walk-in sites were under water and are covered with silt and are closed to camping
Walk-in site vault toilet near landing is closed
Upper level RV sites are open
All other restrooms and vault toilets are open
Parker-Hickman
Web Branch slab has erosion on each end but is passable in a high clearance vehicle
Erbie Horse Camp and Caver Camp CLOSED
Closed due to high water in river and Cecil Creek
Ozark Campground
Group camping area closed (lower level by the paths to the river)
Restrooms and water are operational
Lower Pruitt
Debris and sand and gravel washed into the launch access.
Hasty
Access is rutted and parking area scoured. Walkway to river has much sand and gravel deposited.
Blue Hole
Silt deposits on campsites
Carver
Campground open but launch road has large deposits of sand and gravel
Mt. Hersey CLOSED
Inaccessible at this time due to high water and debris
Woolum
Horse camp area open, no damage
Road to lower field area not passable
Launch area still covered with water
Baker Ford
Open, watch for mud and debris on road
Tyler Bend Campground
All facilities open except:
Launch area restroom closed
Launch Road silt covered and launch area is limited
Grinders Ferry
Open, potential for congestion at ramp
Shine Eye
Open with parking and camping area muddy from silt
Gilbert CLOSED
Access road muddy and still under water at the lower end
S. Maumee
Access road scoured at the bottom in the camping area (passable)
N. Maumee
Launch is covered with sand and gravel deposits
Spring Creek CLOSED
Closed due to road hazards
Dillards Ferry
Restrooms closed (no electricity) – May 2, 2011 OPEN (electricity restored)
Vault toilets open
Launch, water covered
Buffalo Point Campground
Site 25, 26 & 27 closed
Minor silt cleanup needed
All other facilities open
Buffalo Point Launch CLOSED
Consider using Dillards Ferry on Highway 14 as an alternative put-in
Rush CLOSED
Not accessible due to high water
Updates for any changes in closures will be communicated as they occur: Visitors are advised to call Park Headquarters at 870/365-2700 on weekdays for current information on status. On weekends call Tyler Bend Visitor Center at 870-439-2502. To report hazardous conditions or any emergencies call Buffalo National River Dispatch at 888-692-1162.
