© 2024 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

As The River Falls, Grand Tower Officials Continue The Clean-up.

Even though the Mississippi River has dropped below flood stage, many river communities have work to do.

In Grand Tower, officials there are having to deal with sinkholes, which are several feet deep.    Joe Plumlee, Highway Commissioner for Grand Tower Township, says these sinkholes began to form when the river was at flood stage, and put intense pressure on the groundwater which lies underneath the levee.

He adds that much of the rock underlying the area where the sinkholes are present, is composed of limestone, which is very porous.

Another impact of the flood of 2019, is the temporary closure of the very popular Devil's Backbone Park.

Donne Davis, is a Board Member of the Park District and he says the Park often sees campers from around the world.  Just three weeks before this interview was recorded, Davis said that campers from Denmark visited the park.

This, Davis says, represents an economic benefit to not just Grand Tower, but surrounding communities like Murphysboro and Carbondale.

As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.