Blue Springs and Henry Beck parks reopen after flooding closures

Blue Springs Park and Henry Beck Park reopened on Friday, August 7 at 10 a.m. and returned to normal operating hours, ending closures caused by heavy rainfall and flooding.

The Levy County Board of County Commissioners announced the reopening in a press release issued on August 6. The parks had been closed because of heavy rainfall, elevated water levels and what the county described as black water conditions.

Why the water still looks dark

The county said conditions at both parks were improving daily, but warned that visitors would not find them back to normal straight away.

“While the parks are reopening, visitors and residents should be aware that water levels remain slightly elevated, and the water is darker than usual due to the naturally occurring tannins carried by floodwater,” the release said.

Tannins are released into water by decaying leaves and other plant material. Floodwater moving through wooded ground picks them up and carries them into springs and rivers, which stains the water a tea colour. The discolouration is a natural effect of the flooding rather than a sign of contamination.

What the county is asking of visitors

The Levy County Public Works Department thanked the public for its patience during the closures and asked people to take care at both sites.

The release encouraged visitors “to enjoy the parks responsibly by following safety guidelines and using caution.”

Anyone wanting more information can contact the Levy County Public Works Department on 352-486-5127.

The commission

The release was issued by the Board of County Commissioners from its offices at 310 School Street in Bronson. The board is chaired by Tim Hodge of District 4, with Charlie Kennedy of District 1 as vice chair. The other commissioners are Rock Meeks of District 2, Desiree Mills of District 3 and Johnny Hiers of District 5.