The Flood of 1998

On July 26, 1998, the park was hit by an immense flood. These pictures were taken Sunday afternoon about the time the Meramec River crested. This is the hatchery staff watching as their headquarters go underwater. The crew had already covered the pools the night before.

This a view of the nets that are used to cover the pools. Hooks along the bluff side secure the nets while pipe and rope hold it down on the sidewalk side. An experienced crew can cover the pools in about two hours. The pipe, rope and other materials are kept on a trailer that can be pulled to the site at a moments notice. Usually, this seems to occur in the middle of the night!

The big round holding pool cannot be covered, but as of yet has not went underwater. In this picture, the raceway is under water.

The ironworks did not escape the rivers wrath either. Like the hatchery crew, the ironworkers of yesteryear had to endure periodic floods.