“Before any park areas are open, we want to insure all areas are safe for the visiting public,” stated Superintendent Reed Detring.

Culvert leading into Big Spring campground. When the Current River is up, Big Spring becomes inundated. NPS photo.

Due to their efforts, these areas are now OPEN:
Visitor Contact Station in Van Buren (Open daily 8:00 – 4:30)
Big Spring Cabins and the Big Spring Lodge
Big Spring Day Use Area:
Big Spring, parking lot, pavilion, walkway, restrooms, and trail
Big Spring River Access #1
Chubb Hollow
Peavine Pavilion
Big Spring Campground Loops 100 – 200
Big Spring Group Camp Site #1
Pin Oak
Chilton Creek River Access
Raft Yard
Waymeyer

These Big Spring areas and accesses remain CLOSED:
Campground Loops 300 -600
Group Camp Site #2
Big Spring Concrete River Access #2
Big Tree
Cedar Springs
Grubb
Gooseneck
Hickory
Clubhouse
Cataract
Panther Springs

The park’s Lower Current River District bore the brunt of the flooding that began April 24. The damaged roadways were the main hindrance into the Big Spring area. The flooding especially damaged the roadway culvert leading into the Big Spring Campground.

All of the Upper Current River District areas are OPEN between Baptist and Jerktail.

Many of the Jacks Fork River District areas to Two Rivers, INCLUDING THE ALLEY SPRING FLOATER ACCESS are OPEN EXCEPT:
Alley Spring Campground Concrete River Access
Paint Rock
Roberts Field

In the August 2010 issue of

River Hills Traveler

Remember the favorite outdoor places, businesses and people readers voted for last September and October? The winners in Traveler’s second annual Readers Choice Awards are profiled in this issue. Make this section your guide to outdoor enjoyment in Traveler Country.

Other Page 1 stories:

Cool rivers pull crowds on hot weekends — Bill Cooper
His Meramec River fishing trip went awry, so Bill went people-watching and came up with some surprising observations.

Clearwater project may finish in 2013 — Jo Schaper
Jo casts a trained geologist’s eye on the $93 million cutoff wall project at Clearwater Dam. Find out exactly what your money is being spent on and why.

The rest of the paper
Letters to the editor have been flying thick and fast. Al Agnew, Norm Leppo and Ken Elfrink all weigh in on the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance proposals to grow bigger bronzebacks in the state. Other letters address cave closings for WNS, conditions at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park campground, a trip to Dillard Mill and e-coli levels at north Missouri lakes.

Water fowl prospects remain ducky — Bill Cooper
Wetland conditions are well above the long-term average, boding well for waterfowl hunters. Wappapello Lake duck blind registration is slated for Aug. 21.

MDC eyes elk restoration at Peck Ranch Conservation Area — MDC news release
The Missouri Conservation Commission has asked biologist Lonnie Hansen to address certain considerations for restoring this Missouri native species in one particular area. The Commission also awarded a $1.395 million bridge and structures contract for Duck Creek CA and handled a number of other items of business.

Sudden service on catfish dinner request — Charlie Slovensky
Charlie’s brother John requested a channel catfish for supper from his pond. Find out how long it took Charlie to fill the order.

It’s tough work, but somebody’s gotta do it — Bob Todd
We think Bob is rubbing it in a little here as he tells about a spur of the moment float from Watercress to Big Spring on the Current.

Companions adds new dimension to hike — Melissa Gilliam
The Small Town Girls Guide blogger continues her Ozark Trail hiking adventures. This time, she leads eight companions on Miles 22-33 of the Courtois Section. Learn the pluses and minuses of hiking with friends.

Don’t forfeit your right to carry — a camera, that is — Howard Helgenberg
Howard recalls the greatest photo he never took and offers camera suggestions.

Whee! Zipline mania spreads over Missouri — Barbara Gibbs Ostmann
Barb criss-crossed Missouri riding every zipline she could find and brings you the lowdown on what each has to offer.

Bluff collapse on upper Meramec startles neighbors — Rock Talk, Jo Schaper
Sometime during the night of July 10, about 250 linear feet of rock, 80 to 90 feet tall, sheared off Black Bluff south of Bourbon and crashed into the Meramec River. Jo talks to geology experts and neighbors to find out what caused the landscape-changing event.

August is get-ready time for fall hunting — Seasons, Bob Todd
A hunter’s blood begin to stir this month. It’s not to early to prepare.

Southeast Missouri’s swampy beauty showcased in pictures
Winners for the 5th annual Mingo Swamp Fauna & Flora Photography Contest have been chosen, though their names are secret. The first exhibit is coming up.

For eclectic eaters: French toast sticks, waffle iron brownies, more — Iron Kettle, Pat Todd
Pat ran onto a bunch of old recipes stuck back in the files. Learn how to cook spinach swirls, Mexican rice, savory nuts and more.

Mad dogs in the Ozarks were no joke in summer of 1951
In our “Through the Years in Traveler” column, we review a Jim Featherston story about a rabies epidemic when he was sheriff of Ripley County.

Year-round outdoor education came naturally for Indian children — Our Indian Heritage, Kathleen Brotherton
Native Americans learned outdoor survival skills from an early age

Hen turkeys in straw are like women in mall — Jim and Donna Featherston
Jim draws a dangerous human parallel after observing female turkeys churning straw mulch in a feeding frenzy. Donna has her own insights.

Life is short, so bees must stay busy — Nature’s Corner, Aaron Horrell
Aaron photographs a honeycomb up close and shares fascinating bee lore.

Maps in this issue: Clearwater Lake • Lower Current & Eleven Point Rivers • Lower Meramec River • Niangua River & Bennett Spring • Parkland/Arcadia Valley/Black River • Upper Current & Jacks Fork Rivers • Upper Meramec River, Huzzah & Courtois Creeks • Wappapello Lake

Click here for a FREE TRIAL SUBSCRIPTION

Bring your whole family for this festive occasion at Big Spring, which is located four miles south of Van Buren, Missouri, on State Highway 103. Please bring a blanket or lawn chair for the storytelling, musical and dancing entertainment. The event is free, and all are welcome. For more information call 573-323-4236, or visit the park’s website at: www.nps.gov/ozar.