+---------------------------+-------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service     | Ozark National    |   | P.O. Box 490      |
|                           |                   |   |                   |
| U.S. Department of the    | Scenic Riverways  |   | Van Buren         |
| Interior                  |                   |   |                   |
|                           | Use the complete  |   | Missouri          |
|                           | site name here    |   | 63965-0490        |
|                           | (e.g. Palo Alto   |   |                   |
|                           | Battlefield       |   | 573-323-4236      |
|                           | Historic Site).   |   | phone             |
|                           |                   |   |                   |
|                           |                   |   | 573-323-4140 fax  |
+---------------------------+-------------------+---+-------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Ozark National Scenic Riverways** News Release

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Use a "short-hand" version of the site name here (e.g. Palo Alto
  Battlefield not Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

March 21, 2008

Elisa Kunz 573-323-4236 x245

[For Immediate Release]{.underline}

Ozark National Scenic Riverways Recovering After Historical Flood

Van Buren, Missouri - After approximately 11 inches of rain fell in one
day over the already saturated ground of the four-county region
encompassing Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the park experienced
severe flooding on both the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. The park
experienced extreme changes in water levels, cresting on March 19,
Wednesday afternoon on the Jacks Fork at 16.5 feet and Upper Current
Rivers and cresting in Van Buren on the Lower Current River at 25.7 feet
shortly after midnight on March 20, Thursday morning.

On the Jacks Fork River, flood waters covered the campgrounds at Alley,
flowed over the spillway at the historic Alley Mill, and caused road
closures in many locations, including damage to Highway 106 near the
Alley campground and mill. Several local roads are also closed until the
flood waters recede. Similar damage occurred on the Upper and Lower
Current River. The entrance to Round Spring Cave was surrounded by water
at one point, as were the campgrounds and a significant number of
heritage sites, including the CCC lodge at Big Spring. The Big Spring
Depression Farm became totally submerged. Round Spring campground
reopened to the public on March 20. All access points and landings
received damage to some extent. Work will begin as soon as possible in
restoring these areas.

NPS Rangers have responded to numerous emergency calls, assisting in
rescuing over 15 people from various creeks and road hazards. Two such
rescues involved assisting the Missouri State Water Patrol. Rangers
Chris Figge and Brett Painter rescued three people involved in a
six-person incident just south of Winona, where two boats had already
flipped and a third filled with water. Juveniles were involved in this
incident. Rangers Josh Gibbs and Martin Towery assisted in a four person
incident involving an overturned vehicle and two stranded on-lookers.
Hikers on the Ozark Trail had to be rescued after they were found miles
from their intended location and on the opposite side of the river.
Canoers, who had left on Sunday when the weather was still dry, were
contacted on Wednesday. The park had towed their vehicle, as its
location had flooded, by the time they were located. Despite dangerous
river conditions, the floaters were taken off the river safely. Hikers
and canoers were especially vulnerable in this storm as the river and
creek levels rose quickly, blocking many exit routes from trails.

Park clean-up will begin as soon as possible. The park encourages those
who wish to assist in park clean-up to contact the park volunteer
coordinator at 573-858-3297 x23.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and
Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique
cultural heritage of the Ozark people. For more information visit,
[www.nps.gov/ozar](http://www.nps.gov/ozar)

**\--NPS\--**

-NPS-