We’re getting back a flooded state park and a flooded state historic site in time for the holiday weekend.
Big Oak Tree State Park and the Towosahgy Historic Site went under 12 to 16 feet of water when the Birds Point-New Madrid Levee was breached four months ago. They’ll reopen Friday.
Big Oak Tree’s picnic areas and the boardwalk are open although other areas remain closed because of damage and debris. State Parks Director Bill Bryan says the Visitors Center might have to be replaced. “The water in the visitors center was up to the eves,” he says. “Most of the exhibits, I would say, are a loss..”
But the flood did exact a cost. Some of the big oak trees are down and high levels of sand and mud are endangering numerous other trees in a 100-acre area of the park.
Towosaghy will be completely reopened. It’s an ancient Indian mound site. Bryan says tribal representatives have checked the site and say it’s okay.
lISTEN TO INTERVIEW WITH bILL bRYAN 6:03 MP3