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Skunk River nears flood stage
Expected flooding prompts campground closure at Oakland Mills
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — Rising water levels on the Skunk River prompted Henry County Conservation officials to begin closing the Oakland Mills campground Wednesday as storms moved into the Mt. Pleasant area.
“We are in the middle of the closing campground due to the rising river,” said Henry County Conservation Director Caleb Waters around 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Waters began the shutdown process earlier that morning in anticipation of worsening weather conditions. By that afternoon, both the South Shore and Water Works campgrounds were closed until further notice. Conservation crews removed electric breakers and moved picnic tables out of low-lying areas.
“It’s swelling at a high rate,” Waters said of the Skunk River. “We had a little relief there late last week, but a pretty good shot of rain caused the river to run bank-full. North and South [Skunk] are already bank full. I’m afraid it is going to come out — how bad, I don’t know.”
Water Works campground had already closed Saturday due to heavy rain throughout July. Even with closures in place, staff remain on alert.
“We’re constantly checking our river gauge,” Waters said. “Looking upstream, whatever they get upstream plus what we get has a major effect on the river levels.”
Looking ahead, he said conditions may get worse before they improve.
“We’re not out of the clear,” he said. “Water levels will likely still be an issue into the weekend. It takes two to three days for all that water to hit Henry County. We’re looking at the possibility of moderate to major flooding before it’s all said and done.”
Waters emphasized the strain these conditions place on staff.
“It creates a lot of work for us to open and close a campground. You just never know. You’ve got to respect the river,” he said. “We’re just taking it hour by hour. A lot of it is just safety. We’re looking out for the safety of our campground hosts and our campers.”
He also cautioned drivers and visitors to remain aware.
“If there is water across the road, turn around, don’t drown,” Waters said. “If you want to check out the river, pull out and stop. Don’t be gawking and driving at the same time. Be aware of your surroundings.”
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch early Wednesday for Henry, Jefferson, and Washington counties, forecasting “several rounds of locally heavy rainfall” throughout the day and into the night.
“Each round has the potential to produce 1 to 2 inches of rain,” the advisory stated.
The Skunk River, which runs through Oakland Mills, has risen steadily over the past several days. According to the National Weather Service, the river measured 12.0 feet at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday at the nearest gauge in Augusta. Flood stage is 15.0 feet. Officials expect the river to crest at 19.9 feet early Saturday morning before falling below flood stage by Monday.
By Tuesday, July 29, the river had already reached 11.1 feet. At 19 feet, local low-lying areas — such as gravel roads and driveways — typically begin to flood. Oakland Bait & Tackle owner Steve Davis reported noticeable changes over the previous 24 hours.
“We've seen approximately 1.5 inches of rain since early yesterday morning,” Davis said Wednesday. “River is heading back up, gaining another foot or more since yesterday.”
While the rising river levels pose risks, Davis and other anglers still find a silver lining: bowfishing.
Bowfishing, which combines archery with fishing, uses a barbed arrow shot from a bow to catch fish in shallow waters. High water levels create ideal conditions by pushing fish — especially rough fish like carp — into flooded grassy banks and shallows, making them easier to spot and shoot. According to bowfishing resources like Bowhunt or Die and Thin Air Outdoors, floodwaters often concentrate fish in accessible, visible areas, increasing bowfishing opportunities when done safely.
Of course, Oakland Bait & Tackle has all the supplies one needs for this type of fishing — when it is safe, of course.
Even those not fishing have been keeping a close eye on the river. On Tuesday, Joseph Long shared a cautionary message on social media after driving near the Skunk River.
“Oakland Mills near the Skunk River is high now,” Long wrote. “A couple spots on the river road are very close to going under. All we need is a couple more inches of rain which is in the forecast. Oakland Mills road gravel is known to flood. Just use your head when driving in area.”
Officials continue to urge the public to monitor weather updates and avoid driving through flooded roads.
As Waters noted, “If you see water across the road, turn around. Don’t drown. You just never know.”
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
