Iowa DNR News For immediate release April 25, 2008 FLASH FLOODING CLOSES PORTIONS OF BACKBONE STATE PARK; CAUSES OVERFLOWS AT SEVERAL WASTEWATER FACILITIES DES MOINES – Portions of Backbone State Park in Delaware County have been closed due to flash flooding. High water has closed the trout stream portion of the park along with the north, east and west gates. The campgrounds and cabin area has not been affected by the flooding. It is anticipated that the flooding and subsequent clean up will keep the affected portions of the park closed through next week, but park officials hope to have it re-opened by the weekend of May 2-4. The heavy rainfall also wreaked havoc with many municipal wastewater systems, particularly in the northern portions of the state. Several cities were reporting having to pump excess water on Friday to relieve pressure on the system and prevent backups into homes and businesses. Many other towns are likely bypassing to a stream, but are not required to report wet weather discharges until they submit their monthly reports to the DNR. However, not all rainfalls qualify as non-reportable wet weather bypasses. Generally, rainfalls of less than two inches in one hour or 4.8 inches in 24 hours would not qualify. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp