Holst says the flood has not kept visitors away so far.The park opened Memorial Day weekend and Holst estimates the numbers of visitors was only slightly lower than last year. Holst says visitors will not be allowed to swim in the shut-ins this summer.She says they're a beautiful part of the park that weren't damaged but state officials have not yet determined if it's safe to swim in the area. Ameren UE tapped Ozark Constructors LLC to rebuild the companys Taum Sauk pumped storage hydroelectric plant upper reservoir that caused significant flooding. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park has over 8,780 acres of wooded and wet natural space to explore and enjoy. One popular attraction is off limits for the time being. Holst says the park is prepared to handle visitors. Holst says the idea is to create a plan that will guide the department on whether or not to keep features like the boulder field in place.Įven though a broad plan is being developed, the park already has some basic features in place. The department is seeking public input on how it should go about rebuilding the park. Holst says park visitors can tour a field that the flood transformed. The water washed away the home of Park Superintendent Toops. Admire the tenacity of the plants eking out a living on the granite rocks. Marvel at the forces of nature responsible for creating this shut-in. On December 14, 2005, the Taum Sauk Upper Reservoir on top of Proffit Mountain near Lesterville, Missouri ruptured, sending 1.5 billion gallons of water down Proffit Mountain severely damaging Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park. Billions of gallons of water released from a hydroelectric plant disaster stripped the land down to the bedrock displacing trees, soil and boulders and flooding. Home Discover Nature Find Places To Go Natural Areas Johnson's Shut-Ins Johnson's Shut-Ins Points of Interest: Take a dip in the famous shut-ins surrounded by billion year old rocks. She says the park is now open for business.Īs the department of natural resources has cleaned the park, it has left some effects of the flood in place. From FERC’s Independent Panel Reportby Becky Denney. Sue Holst is Public Information Officer for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park was in the path of the water that came tearing through the valley that day. The dam broke late last year, on December 14th. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports on what you'll see if you visit the park, which is located in Southeast Missouri, near the town of Lesterville. The large, calm pool at the base of the falls is a wonderful spot for swimming, and the wide gravel bar has plenty of space to set up chairs or throw down a beach blanket so you can rest and picnic between swims.Less than 6 months after a dam at the Taum Sauk reservoir broke and water flooded the area, Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park is open. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park was devastated by the flood, rendering it completely unrecognizable in some places. It features waterfalls that rush over rhyolite rock, especially after a big rain. Johnsons Shut Ins State Park INCREDIBLE Swimming HoleAside from a minor injury after slipping on the jagged rocks, we LOVED our time at Johnsons Shut-In.

Located a little farther west than the other three shut-ins on our list, Rocky Falls can be found near the towns of Winona and Eminence.

The shut-ins are located in a conservation area near Fredericktown, Missouri, and are accessed via a 1-mile loop called Cedar Glade Trail.įind It: 4 hours east of Springfield in the Amidon Memorial Conservation Area Rocky Falls Shut-Ins That’s not the only reason this wading spot makes for such a great photo-opp the rushing water that flows around those pink rocks has beauty all its own. These shut-ins are part of a uniquely hued landscape, thanks to the pink granite rocks that the river has cut through. The conservation area is also home to beautiful woodlands and tons of fauna, so keep your ears open for critters passing by.įind It: 3 hours and 45 minutes east of Springfield in Millstream Gardens Conservation Area Castor River Shut-Ins To get to them, follow a 1.8-mile Tiemann Shut-Ins Hiking Trail until you reach the observation deck where you can look out over mini-waterfalls. Francis River are a gorgeous place to wade. Located halfway between Arcadia Valley and Fredericktown, these shut-ins along the St. Be careful after a rain or during high water when the shut-ins are a little tougher to navigate-but most of the time, this scenic spot is Mother Nature’s water park.įind It: 3 hours and 15 minutes east of Springfield at Johnson Shut-Ins State Park Tiemann Shut-Ins Visitors enter Johnson Shut-Ins State Park and follow a 2.3-mile trail to the river, where they can scramble around on the rocks as the water ripples and rushes by. The most well-known shut-ins in the state, Johnson Shut-Ins is as fun as it is beautiful.

Johnson shut in state park flood