Holmen Courier - Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Holmen Courier or online at www.holmencourier.com

Published - Wednesday, June 18, 2008

State parks, trails close after weather damage

Wildcat Mountain State Park in Vernon County has been evacuated and closed to the public because of storm damage, the state Department of Natural Resources reported Monday morning.

The DNR also closed three state trails: the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, the La Crosse River State Trail west of Sparta and the 400 State Trail between Elroy and Reedsburg.

Rocky Arbor State Park is closed because of trees toppled in the campground.

Wildcat Mountain State Park has experienced severe flooding and the entrance road is washed out. The neighboring community of Ontario was inundated with 9 inches of rain and mud slides closed a portion of Highway 33.

“We can’t even predict when we are going to get in there right now,” said DNR regional parks supervisor Jean Rygiel.

Park superintendent Lenore Schroeder is working out of the Tomah ranger station. Campers with reservations are being contacted by the DNR.

Kohler Andrae State Park is experiencing road flooding. The park may have some closures. Mirror Lake State Park has lost power to one of its campgrounds and shower buildings.

There are concerns about dams throughout central, south central and west central Wisconsin. The DNR is investigating a report of structural damage to the dam at Mirror Lake State Park.

The Sugar River is over its banks causing concern for the Sugar River Trail and the Badger Trail.

DNR engineers, water supply experts and other staff are assisting municipal officials throughout the region.