Flooded Parks Reopen, but Boat Ban on Iowa River

Portions of two eastern Iowa parks, that had been closed due to flooding, have now been re-opened.

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the lower road at Backbone State Park near Strawberry Point, has opened to traffic. The campground at the park was never affected and remains open to visitors.

And the campground at Wapsipinicon State Park in Jones County, has been reopened to the public. However, a portion of the park remains closed due to flooding.

Also, the Johnson County Sheriff has now ordered a boating ban on the Iowa River, below the Coralville dam. The sheriff, through the Johnson County Emergency Operations center, has issued a prohibition order for the Iowa River, all creeks and streams and flooded areas that are south of/or below the dam, at the Coralville Reservois.

This ban includes boating, canoeing, swimming, wading, or any other recreational use of the water in that area.

According to the Johnson County Sheriff, the boating ban on the Iowa River is for public safety and emergency response purposes.

Currently, the ban does not include the Coralville Lake, Lake McBride or the Cedar River, but it is subject to change if flooding conditions worsen.

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