FLOOD 2008: High waters on Mississippi affect weekend camping

By Mary Louise Speers | Saturday, April 26, 2008

In Montpelier, Iowa, about three-quarters of Clark’s Ferry Recreation Area has been closed off to campers due to flooding along the Mississippi River.

Gary and Dian Schmidt, the campground attendants, anticipate closing more camping spaces Sunday.

The Mississippi at Illinois City, just across the river from Montpelier, was at 16.43 feet as of 6 p.m. Saturday. Flood level is 15 feet.

The river is expected to crest there at 19.6 feet Tuesday afternoon.

“If it comes up to 21.8 feet, we have to move,” Gary Schmidt said.

Further downriver in Muscatine, Iowa, where flood level is 16 feet, the river is expected to crest at 21.1 feet Tuesday.

“People come here to see the Mississippi, and now they don’t have to. It comes to see them,” Dian Schmidt said.

She said the town of Montpelier needs to build a dike. “Clinton’s dike doesn’t take away from the beauty of that area,” she said.

Recreation Areas Closed by Flooding:

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area, Clinton, Ia.

Lock and Dam 13 Recreation Area, Fulton, Ill.

Cattail Slough Recreation Area, Fulton, Ill.

All recreation areas south of Muscatine, Ia.

Recreation Areas that will be Open:

Clark's Ferry Recreation Area, Montpelier, Ia.

Blanding Landing Recreation Area, Hanover Ill.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.