Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area closed due to heavy flood damage
BARABOO – Parfrey’s Glen, Wisconsin’s first State Natural Area, is closed indefinitely due to extensive damage caused by floodwaters last month.
Encompassing 480 acres, Parfrey’s Glen is a spectacular gorge cut deeply into the south flank of the Baraboo Hills near Devil’s Lake State Park in Sauk County. A popular 1-mile long hiking trail offered outdoor enthusiasts an excellent opportunity to interpret the geographical history of the hills, culminating with a waterfall at trail’s end.
“Succinctly, the trail through the gorge doesn’t exist anymore,” said Rich Evans, parks supervisor for DNR’s South Central Region.
Heavy rains during the June 14 weekend rushing down off the bluffs above the gorge turned normally placid Parfrey’s Glen Creek into a roaring torrent of water which dislodged boulders weighing several tons, uprooted trees, washed out a wooden boardwalk, and strewed rocks over part of the trail.
Parfrey’s Glen Creek also shifted its stream channel to form a new path over the remainder of the trail, gouging a bed in some areas down to a depth of four feet.
“Clean-up will be extensive and will take a long time,” said Evans, who couldn’t predict when the natural areas will reopen.
Plans call for a work crew of up to 10 people who will soon commence removing debris and constructing a new trail, possibly on higher ground.
“We are looking at routing a new trail west of the stream channel through the woods, up to the waterfall at the beginning of the gorge,” he added.
Parfrey’s Glen SNA was established in 1956, and like its counterparts across Wisconsin, represents one of the last vestiges of the state’s native landscape as it existed prior to the 1830s, before intensive European settlement. SNAs are also established with an eye towards education, scientific research and for the long-term protection of Wisconsin’s biological diversity.
See Wisconsin Flood Water Photo Gallery for photos of the damage at Parfrey's Glenn.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Rich Evans, Regional Parks Supervisor, Fitchburg: 608-275-3276
