Work to recover from flooding during the spring of 2017 continues at Ozark National Scenic Riverways/NPS file

Recovering from catastrophic flooding is not easily done, as shown at Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri, where the park continues to work towards returning to normal following the flooding of 2017.

Most recently, park crews set up a temporary river access point for non-motorized vessels at the former Pin Oak Campground location on the Current River north of Van Buren.

Due to erosion of the river bank at the Waymeyer access point, there is not enough room to safely accommodate the unloading of both commercial and non-commercial vessels at that location on summer weekends as was done in previous years. As a solution for potential crowding and safety issues at Waymeyer, the former Pin Oak Campground site will provide a temporary launch point for non-motorized vessels this summer, the park staff has decided.

Pin Oak will serve as the primary access point for National Park Service-permitted commercial operators on the lower Current River. Non-commercial vessels can continue to use the Waymeyer location as before, or can use Pin Oak on weekdays (except for holidays). On weekends and holidays, use of the Pin Oak access will be limited to NPS-permitted commercial operators.

The Pin Oak campground was destroyed in the flood of 2017, but with minimal work and investment the road has been re-established to allow river access. Because this is a short-term solution while an Environmental Assessment is being completed for the area to determine how best to provide for sustainable public use, no other improvements will be made at this time. Pin Oak will serve as a loading/unloading site only, with all vehicles moved out of the area or parked at the Chilton Creek boat ramp overflow parking area.

Chilton Creek boat ramp will continue to provide river access for motorized vessels only.

A long-term solution for non-motorized vessel access in that stretch of the Current River will be determined through an Environmental Assessment that is currently underway. The Environmental Assessment will consider options for camping and motorized and non-motorized river use at Waymeyer, Chilton Creek boat ramp and Pin Oak. The Environmental Assessment will be released for public review and comment later this year.

Waymeyer access is located approximately 10 miles north of Van Buren on State Route M. Chilton Creek boat ramp and Pin Oak are located approximately 12 miles north of Van Buren on Route M.