Falls Park had a record number of guests at the visitor center in July. August may approach that tally with people coming to witness a raging river.

Amounts of five to eight inches of rain Thursday night brought a surge of water to the Big Sioux River on Friday. Parking spots were a hot commodity as people ventured to Falls Park to see the spectacle.

A dull roar greeted visitors who wished to take photos, play a game or two or just sit and relax near the rushing waters. For someone who wanted to spread a blanket and lie down on the grass, a waterproof model would have been just the ticket.

Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Director Don Kearney welcomed the activity at the park, but also expressed caution. “It’s okay to be in Falls Park taking in the beauty of the Falls. Just do it at a distance. We want to make sure that people aren’t going down near the water.

The Big Sioux River did exceed capacity farther upstream and still in recovery mode Friday morning. “We have trails flooded from Yankton Trail all the way to Fawick Park. There’s water over the trail in numerous locations throughout that area.”

Kearney also detailed that Pasley Park entrance was flooded and water levels needed to recede before pumping could begin. Also an event at the Spencer Dog Park to be held this weekend is cancelled. “Spencer Park is the lowest park in our system. That’s typically the spot that floods the most.”

Debris cleanup was on the agenda for the parks along the Big Sioux. Kearney did say that the trail along the Downtown River Greenway stayed dry.

 

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