A rising Cedar River has forced the cancellation of some Friday night events at a Cedar Falls festival and the closure of George Wyth State Park in Waterloo.

Organizers of the Cedar Falls Firefighters and Class Reunion Dance have decided to cancel this year's event at the Sturgis Falls Celebration. It was supposed to be held at the Island Park Beach House Friday evening (June 22, 2018).

"Mother Nature and the river win. Island Park is looking to flood again," Cedar Falls Firefighter's Local 1366 said in a Facebook post, announcing the cancellation. "Please take in all other events this weekend. Have fun!"

All other Sturgis Falls events scheduled at Overman Park and Gateway Park will continue as planned. The Cedar Basin Music Festival will also be held outside the Ice House Museum throughout the weekend, as slated.

A flood warning is posted for the Cedar River at Cedar Falls until early Tuesday morning. At 2:45 AM Friday, the stage was 85.7 feet, or 2.3 feet below flood stage.

Moderate flooding is forecast. The river is expected to reach its 88-foot flood stage Friday evening and continue rising to 90.2 feet Sunday morning, before cresting.

Recent heavy rainfall has increased the concern for flooding in the Cedar Valley and other parts of Iowa. The rising Cedar River has forced the closure of George Wyth State Park for the second time in as many weeks.

The park was to be closed on Friday, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said. Officials blocked off access to Brinker Lake on Thursday.

DNR officials said flooding has also closed four other state parks across Iowa, including Backbone in northern Delaware County. Some equestrian trails at Volga River State Recreation Area in Fayette County are also under water.

For a more detailed and continually updated listing of park closure across Iowa, visit: www.iowadnr.gov.

"As the flood waters recede over the next couple of weeks, DNR staff will work to get the areas cleaned up and restored as quickly as possible for public use," information posted on the Iowa DNR's website said. "The predicted flooding in some areas will likely cause closures during the popular Fourth of July holiday; therefore, the DNR is processing refunds for campsite reservations and facility rentals (cabins, shelters, day-use lodges) impacted by the closures.

"Please do not contact the park offices or the DNR call center for refund inquiries. If your reservation is affected you will be contacted directly."

 

More From 97.7 KCRR