River rescue underway on the Buffalo; big rain ahead sparks fears of more Ozarks flooding
One paddler is still missing while another was safely rescued Wednesday on the Buffalo National River after their canoes capsized in the flooded river.
Park spokesman Caven Clark said late Wednesday that search teams will try again Thursday to find the missing paddler, last seen floating past Kyles Landing.
Shortly after 3 p.m. a paddler stranded on an island in the river upstream from Kyles Landing was located and brought to shore. Apart from being cold he was in good condition.
The search for the other individual continued until about 6 p.m. Wednesday and will resume Thursday morning.
According to Clark, the incident began when a group of four men in four canoes decided to tackle the flood waters Wednesday morning above Kyles.
Two canoes managed to traverse the distance safely but two others overturned. The missing individual was last reported in the water across from the launch site at Kyles and has not been seen since.
National Park Service rangers responded to the area and conducted a “hasty” search by land on both sides of the river to quickly attempt to locate the individuals.
At about 2:30 p.m. one Zodiac, one raft, and two kayaks were launched from Steel Creek to conduct a systematic search. In addition to the National Park Service Rangers, Buffalo National River Search & Rescue Team, others included a team of AmeriCorps workers, Harrison Swift Water Rescue, and the Newton County Sherriff’s Department.
More flooding likely this weekend
For the second weekend in a row, area rivers and streams — including the Buffalo — will likely be flooded as a massive surge of moisture is expected to dump up to 6 inches of rain on the Ozarks, according to the National Weather Service in Springfield.
After a short dry spell Thursday, substantial rainfall is expected Friday through Sunday, and it will land on soil that's already saturated, increasing the likelihood of flooding. Last weekend, the Buffalo National River in Arkansas and the Current and Jacks Fork rivers in the Ozarks were closed to paddlers for a time due to flood conditions.
Higher amounts of rain are in the forecast again this weekend, so paddlers or campers are encouraged to check river conditions before considering heading out.
The heaviest rain is expected to fall Friday through Sunday from northwest Arkansas through southern Missouri, where 3 to 6 inches of rainfall is forecast, with locally higher amounts, according to the weather service. Widespread flooding is possible, along with strong to severe thunderstorms Friday into Saturday across southern Missouri.
"Those with outdoor and travel plans for this upcoming weekend should pay close attention to the forecast as there is the potential for multiple weather hazards, including the potential for widespread flooding," the weather service notes in its hazardous outlook forecast.
About the major rivers
Ozark National Scenic Riverways officials encouraged people to view the park's Facebook page for updates on likely river closings and flood conditions on the Jacks Fork and Current rivers.
Expecting another round of flooding, Buffalo National River park officials said they were taking precautionary steps toward ensuring visitor safety and minimizing damage to park infrastructure.
By Friday, many areas, including Tyler Bend Campground, will be closed until the flood abates. The process of shutting off utilities in campsites has already begun in selected areas.
The Steel Creek concert featuring National Park Radio, rescheduled after last weekend’s inclement weather for this Saturday, has been postponed until further notice.
Buffalo River visitors are asked to exercise extreme caution in all areas near the river. Water crossings such as those at Rush, Webb Branch, Erbie and others will likely become unusable, possibly trapping visitors on the “wrong” side. Even the Lost Valley Trail should be avoided, given the past history of flash floods in that area.
The beautiful weather on Tuesday and a possible break between the storms on Thursday should not lull visitors into hazardous situations, according to park officials. Float trips are not recommended as the Buffalo River is already running at high stages and will very likely be in flood stage soon.
Basic safety rules apply: if the water is high, brown and carrying debris, it is not safe for any recreational activity. Report any accidents to the park’s dispatch at 888-692-1162. For general questions regarding closures of campgrounds, call the Tyler Bend Visitor Center at 870-439-2502 or Buffalo Point at 870-449-4311.
Corps lakes affected
The Army Corps of Engineers is advising people in flood plains downstream of Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork dams in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri as well as Greer Ferry Lake in central Arkansas to maintain awareness and monitor lake levels and the weather.
These lakes’ flood pools are partially full from recent rains and more rain is forecast in coming days. Table Rock Lake already was releasing water through five of the dam's spillways, in part because one of its turbine generators was shut down for maintenance.
The Corps cautioned people to decide beforehand whether to move livestock, equipment and belongings to higher ground. Flows downstream can increase quickly, with perhaps no more than an hour or two notice; and rapidly changing conditions can create even shorter notice.
The closer to a dam you are, the faster changes in river conditions can occur when releases from a dam are changed. The National Weather Service maintains river forecast data that be accessed at the following link: http://water.weather.gov/ahps/ .