Some Popular Cedar Valley Campgrounds Will Likely Be Closed For July 4th Weekend

Some popular campgrounds in the Cedar Valley will likely be closed during the long Fourth of July holiday weekend due to flooding and storm damage.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources expects George Wyth State Park near the Waterloo Regional Airport to remain closed until at least Monday morning because of high water from the Cedar River. The closure could be longer, however, depending on any additional rainfall over the next few days.

DNR officials say many bike trails at George Wyth are under water and could be washed out or have debris on them.

High water is also impacting three Black Hawk County-owned campgrounds. Black Hawk Park near Cedar Falls, Sigglekow Park northeast of Dunkerton, and McFarlane Park near La Porte City all remain closed do to flooding. Black Hawk County Conservation officials say they don't anticipate any of the three parks opening for the holiday weekend.

Another popular campground that's currently covered by Cedar River flood water is Deerwood Park in Evansdale. It, too, will be closed through the July 4th holiday period.

"We definitely won't be open this weekend," Evansdale Park Board Chairman Tom Nichols said.

According to Nichols, Monday's severe thunderstorm uprooted a number of trees in Deerwood, which still must be cleaned up. City crews will begin that project, once flood waters recede enough to get into the park.