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Heavy rainfall leaves soggy campgrounds

ESCANABA — Standing water, high water levels, and campground closures are just some of the ways the U.P.’s recent abundant rainfall is impacting the area.

According to John Pepin, deputy public information officer for the Michigan Department of Resources (DNR), there have been campground site closures due to flooding and standing water.

“That’s some concern for campers,” said Pepin.

One campground with major site closures is J. W. Wells State Park in Cedar River. Pepin said over 50 of the 153 campsites in the park are closed due to pooling water within the sites.

Pepin explained the sites were temporarily closed to keep camping vehicles and the people camping safe from getting stuck in the campsites.

With the ground being soft, campers, such as RVs or pop-ups, could sink into the saturated ground. Pepin said people with larger campers, such as RVs, could see problems with electrical hook-ups because wires and lines could get wet.

Pepin noted the DNR’s reservation system has been notifying those who may have sites and moving them to other available campsites or parks.

Other parks with camping amenities that have been affected by rain and standing water issues are Fayette State Historic Park and Baraga State Park, added Pepin.

As for high river, lake, and other water levels, Pepin said in some bodies of water are still higher than usual, but most have receded back to almost normal.

Some flood advisories have been issued over the past couple of weeks, but have since been lifted.

Over the weekend however, Pepin noted that if the U.P. sees more rainfall, the water levels could rise back up.

“If we do get a lot of rain… it would certainly put up rivers again,” said Pepin, adding that with the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, the DNR is reminding people to keep in mind that water is higher and faster than normal and to use precautions when kayaking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, etc.

With the copious amounts of standing water, Pepin said the number of mosquitoes throughout the region have also increased. Pepin explained that pooling water is the perfect breeding ground for various types of mosquitoes.

“There’s a full population of mosquitoes out there,” said Pepin.

According to Escanaba Water Treatment Plant records, slightly less than six and a half inches of rain fell in Escanaba between June 11 and 22.

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