The old Akers Ferry Canoe Rental store suffered extensive damage to the building and porch, Ozark National Scenic Riverways / NPS-Wil Marischen

Following heavy rainfall beginning November 3, Ozark National Scenic Riverways experienced historic flooding, especially on the upper Current River, which reached record levels on November 5.

Rainfall of 9 to 12 inches across the area led to flooding from Montauk to Round Spring. At Akers, the river gauge stopped reporting at 23.23 feet, but levels continued to rise, likely peaking near 32 feet—well above the previous record of 26.08 feet from April 2017. Below Round Spring, both the Current River and Jacks Fork River saw significant flooding, though no new records were set.

Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, though Park Rangers conducted several rescues on November 4 and 5 for visitors caught by surprise.

Many campgrounds, facilities, and river access points suffered extensive damage and will be temporarily closed as crews assess the impacts and carry out repairs. Recovery timelines will depend on the level of damage at each site, and updates will follow as assessments are completed.

The Akers and Pulltite areas were hit especially hard. The Akers Ranger Station, which includes the Akers Ferry Canoe Rental, took on about two feet of water, and the old rental store was nearly submerged. At Pulltite Campground, floodwaters reached the roof of the Pulltite Ranger Station, severely damaging structures. Roads, campsites, and other facilities were extensively scoured or displaced by debris, and large trees were uprooted and tangled with flood debris.

The Pulltite ranger station saw water reach the roof / NPS file

For safety, the stretch of the Current River from Baptist to Round Spring will be closed to all vessels until approximately November 13, allowing rangers to address hazards like downed power lines and dangerous debris.

Other closures:

• All backcountry campgrounds will be temporarily closed to assess damage and clean vault restrooms.
• The Pulltite Campground will be closed for an unknown period for extensive repairs. The campground and all facilities within it are closed to public entry due to major safety hazards.
• Akers group campsites and Round Spring group campsites will be closed for an unknown period for repairs.
• The old Akers Ferry Canoe Rental Store is closed to public entry due to safety concerns.
• Baptist river access and Lipps Hole will be temporarily closed for repairs.  
• Alley Spring Campground and Big Spring Campground are both expected to remain closed for several weeks for cleaning and repairs. 

All closure projections are rough estimates and will be updated as more information becomes available. National Park Service staff will be working hard in upcoming weeks and months to reopen high priority areas as quickly as possible and to develop strategies and timelines for locations that require extensive restoration.
 
For more updates and information, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/ozar, follow us at facebook.com/ozarkriverways, or call (573) 323-4236.