Hazards beneath the surface keep kayak park closed

After a historic flood in late April and more flooding in June, the Siloam Springs Kayak Park, one of the city's key attractions, has been forced to remain closed as temperatures warm up and summer begins.

"While it may appear fine in this high water, there are obstructions in the water you can't see," a press release from the city of Siloam Springs said. "The city has taken steps to correct the problems, but work is not complete."

The park is closed because of damage caused by the recent flooding, as loose debris caused damage to features and rising water levels swept away fencing, soil and parts of the park's buildings.

In all, the city estimates the park suffered about $40,000 in damage, said Jon Boles, Parks and Recreation Manager. Work is about to get started for the cleanup and repairs, and work should be completed in three weeks, Boles said.

Part of the reason for the length of the park's closure has been the necessity to reach out to the project's original engineer to assess the damage and evaluate the stability of the rapids and of the rock features.

The engineer found that there has been some erosion, causing some of the features, both in and out of the water, to come loose. One rock has come loose and is in the middle of a rapid, posing a threat to the safety of anyone entering that part of the Illinois River.

"It's become an entrapment danger, and it will be addressed," Boles said.

In addition to the restoration of the rapids work crews will have to re-stabilize the banks of the river in the park by creating a new foundation for rocks, back-filling holes created by the rushing water with soil. In the park's current state, the rocks along the river banks could shift under the weight of people walking, turning unsuspecting pedestrians into swimmers.

The park will also need repairs to the fence, kiosk and signs. Light poles were also bent, leaving the park's changing stations and picnic tables as some of the only fixtures that were not damaged by April's deluge.

Boles said one of the dangers to people using the park is that some people who have used the park while it has been closed have moved debris away, making the park look safer than it really is at the moment.

"The park is closed until we get it cleaned up," Boles said. "We discourage anybody using the kayak park until it is as safe as possible. If the patrons would allow us the time and the space to get in there and fix it, it will be ready to open faster as a fully repaired kayak park."