By DONNA FARLEY
SEMO News Service
WAPPAPELLO, Mo. - Although the main budget for the Wappapello Lake roject has seen funding cuts, about $2.3 million will be received in the current fiscal year to continue repairs and improvements related to the 2011 flood.
Among the approved plans are repair of cracked walkways and crumbling boardwalks at Greenville, replacement of roofs on damaged picnic shelters and 15 new bathroom facilities that replace buildings up to 30 years old.
The bathroom structures, all of which will now be handicap accessible, are built to survive flooding, explained Project Manager Cindy Jackson. They also
offer significant upgrades in some areas, replacing vault toilets with plumbing and electricity. Some buildings are being relocated to better fit the usage of current visitors.
"The flood hasn't been over for us. We are still recovering," said Jackson, adding the recovery money has helped keep some parks open by paying for ongoing labor costs.
The lake reached a record crest of 400.03 feet in May 2011, topping the emergency spillway, washing away roads and damaging recreation areas.
Wappapello received some money in the previous fiscal year for road repairs, including Redman Creek Road.
The new structures will offer improved access and require less maintenance, according to Jackson. The concrete, pre-fabricated buildings are made from a simulated stone base, designed to match the colors of the surrounding rock, and simulated wood.
The building below the dam at the ball field, for instance, replaces a vault toilet, and a building at an old restaurant at the spillway channel has been moved, so they are both at the outlet.
A building between Redman picnic area and Redman beach has been replaced with two buildings, one at each location. The previous building was only accessible by a staircase and did not allow handicap access.
A vault restroom at Rockwood Beach will be torn down, with a new building placed at the parking lot, where it is expected to be of more use to visitors.
"Rockwood will have water and sewer that it didn't before," said Jackson, adding the same will be true at Sundowner marina, which has also been relocated closer to the marina.
The buildings have concrete walls, ceilings and floors and fiberglass doors that will not rust, in case of flooding. Sewer access would be disconnected prior to high water, Jackson said. Some will also have solar power.
Greenville recreation area will receive more restroom facilities, including one at the boat ramp.
Other locations planned are Chaonia Landing, Peoples Creek Upper and Peoples Creek Lower.
Work also continues to repair and relocate electric and sewer lines damaged in the flooding. Lines previously run below the dam have been moved above the damto prevent the same type of washout in the future.
Signs and buoys lost during flooding are being replaced and additional fencing is being placed. Work on the sidewalks at Greenville is expected to be complete in 2013.