Sioux Falls city parks, Wild Water West close due to 'significant flooding'

Shelly Conlon, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Updated ·2 min read
An image from Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department shows water levels near even with the bridge Friday, June 21, 2024, at Rotary Park near 26th Street and Interstate 229.
An image from Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department shows water levels near even with the bridge Friday, June 21, 2024, at Rotary Park near 26th Street and Interstate 229.

As storms continue to bring significant rainfall and flooding throughout the Sioux Empire, the City of Sioux Falls has closed multiple recreational buildings and city parks because of the weather.

The National Weather Service stated 3 to 5 inches of rain fell across Sioux Falls overnight between Thursday and Friday, which has lead to ponding on roadways and even some road closures. The city broke its daily rainfall record of 3.35 inches in 2018 to 3.50 inches Friday, NWS stated. By Saturday morning, the city had received more than 7 inches of rain in 72 hours.

A flood watch for Minnehaha and Lincoln counties has been extended to 7 p.m. Saturday, and a flood warning has been extended to 9:45 a.m. Sunday, according to NWS.

Wild Water West Waterpark in Sioux Falls has also closed Thursday and Friday "due to significant flooding," the park posted to its Facebook page.

There is not an estimated time yet for when the parks will reopen, but here's a look those closures so far:

What recreational buildings are closed:

  • Butterfly House

  • Callie Branch (Siouxland Libraries)

  • Drake Springs Family Aquatic Center

  • Outdoor Campus

  • Stockyards Ag Experience

What Sioux Falls parks are closed:

The following parks are closed as of 9:45 a.m. Saturday:

  • Cherry Rock Park

  • Dunham Park

  • Family Park

  • Farm Field Park

  • Legacy Park

  • Pasley Park

  • Riverdale Park

  • Rotary Park

  • Sertoma Park

  • Spencer Park

  • Tomar Park

  • Tuthill Park

  • Yankton Trail Park

The city website states several sections of the recreation trail are also closed, and that all closures will be marked by barricades.

"Do not walk, ride or drive through any moving water over a roadway or trail surface," the city website states. "Flood waters are dangerous and can lead to serious injury."

For more information, visit the City of Sioux Falls website.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: What's closed in Sioux Falls because of rain, overnight flooding?