DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge between Blair and Missouri Valley on Highway 30 is again open to public.
Park Ranger Peter Rea tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB it has been a tough spring and summer season. There was flooding in March. They were able to fix the roads and they reopened the Refuge but had to close it again due to more flooding. The water has receded and they were able to open the Visitor's Center and a majority of the Refuge roads as well.
Rea says, "Because the lake is still high, we haven't been able to draw down the water enough to get our boat ramps back open right now. So it is bank fishing or hand launching boats only at this time. As conditions improve we will try to make those accesses reopen to the public."
Work continues at the refuge. Rea says the water continues to recede and there is work to be done on the trails. They also have to rebuild roads and manage the habitat that was damaged by the flood waters.
Rea says, "We are just excited to get some access back open to the public so people can come and enjoy the place as well."
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is one of a few recreation areas open along the Missouri River in the Omaha metro area. Boyer Chute and Wilson Island remain closed. Hayworth Park in Bellevue, NP Dodge Park in Omaha, Tom Hanafan Park and Big Lake park in Council Bluffs also remain closed to the public.
Photo courtesy of DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.