Sioux County, Iowa — Like everyone else, the Sioux County Conservation Board sustained a lot of flood damage from the floods in late June.
Sunday Ford is the Naturalist and Assistant Director of Sioux County Conservation. She tells us the current status.
She says they are still in the process of cleanup and rebuilding.
Ford says their Hawarden location will soon be used for another use. Oak Grove Park is transitioning their campgrounds to accommodate transitional housing for those displaced by flooding. She says this will take place in both of their campgrounds and is anticipated to occupy all non-seasonal campsites, including online reservation campsites. Ford says they anticipate that they will be closing these campgrounds to the public for camping, with the exception of non-electric tent sites, which will remain open in Deer Run Campground on a first-come, first-served basis.
The company called Tetra Tech is overseeing the transitional housing program, with the aid of the Sioux County Emergency Management. The transitional housing is made possible by Iowa Homeland Security’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Through conversations with these groups, the Sioux County Conservation Board anticipates that everyone will be moved in within 1.5-2 weeks from Aug 1.
Transitional camper housing has started with Turkey Ridge Campground and will continue in Deer Run Campground. If you need temporary housing due to flooding, she says you can apply through FEMA. You will need to get a FEMA identification number to begin the process. The Sioux County Conservation Board anticipates being able to honor any currently existing online campsite reservations.
Ford says they are thankful to be able to support our community through this support and encourage patrons to visit the Prairie Woods Nature Center, enjoy their hiking trails, their fishing pond, access to the Big Sioux River, and the many public programs they offer at siouxcountyparks.org.
Meanwhile, Ford says Sandy Hollow beach and campgrounds are open, but the clubhouse will remain closed due to renovations. Big Sioux Recreation Area bathhouses are open, The Rookery multifamily cabin is available for reservation online, the boat ramp is open, the dock is in and some of the trails and the road are currently being repaired. The beach is ready to be opened as soon as they get a good water test reading, which they anticipate to happen on Friday. The Bruce Schomaker Recreation Area north of Boyden has camping and bathhouse open. Oak Grove Park is open to recreation, tent camping, and Prairie Woods Nature Center. The river area still has a lot of cleanup needed.
Also, Ford says they have rescheduled the 100 Year Celebration of Oak Grove Park to next summer, June 28th 2025. She says, “We want to give this celebration the attention and energy it deserves.” The event will be a celebration of 100 years, but also a celebration of community and perseverance after the flood of 2024.
At this point, Ford says they are unsure about being able to hold the annual Trick or Treat Hike. She says they will keep the public posted as they know. They encourage you to check out their social media.
(Audio courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting station KSOU in Sioux Center)
