Dubuque County Campground Still Closed

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

Tools

By James Steward

Story Created: Aug 5, 2011 at 6:42 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 5, 2011 at 6:42 PM CDT

PEOSTA, Iowa - Last week’s torrential rain wiped out several parks and campgrounds in the Dubuque area.

Miller Riverside Campground is now open again. Most campgrounds in the county have re-opened. But that’s not the case at Swiss Valley Campground.

For Kurt Behning camping is a way of life. As the camp host, he lives at Swiss Valley Park almost every night of the season. But not anymore.

“To be honest with you, I have never had to quit something cold turkey. This must be what that feels like. Unfortunately,” Behning said.

The campground, which sits south of Dubuque, is severely damaged. Behning’s RV is one of the five still stuck in the mud.

When last week’s rain began to pour, eight campers and the park ranger became trapped inside the campground.

“It was too deep of water to get anymore RV’s out of the park,” Behning said.

Many of those RV’s floated away from where they were parked. Here’s where they remain while owners wait for insurance adjustors to arrive. Damage like this is all over the campground and the adjoining park.

“We lost one of the shelters. Three sets of swing sets are gone and the campground is in really bad shape,” said Park Ranger Nate Sisler.

But Behning is trying to keep it in all in perspective.

“It’s just stuff. This in only just stuff. Our personal belongings, everything can be replaced,” Behning said.

Park Rangers are busy working to clean up the campground.

They don’t expect to re-open these campsites until after Labor Day Weekend.