Incoming Rains Have Some Preparing For Flooding Along Illinois River

It’s not ice and snow, but flooding, that’s a big concern this Christmas weekend - especially for folks who live and work along the Illinois River.

Experts say the river is already flowing fast and more rain could push it out of its banks.

The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission expects the Illinois River to flood this weekend, and with the heavy rains on the way, local resorts are preparing to make sure the flood waters don't affect their property.

Christmas Eve, the Illinois River was a busy place as outfitters up and down the river got ready for a round of flooding.

"That's just part of the business,” said Austin Spears with Arrowhead Resort. “You know, we have high water, sometimes we have low water and sometimes you have to prepare."

Spears and his employees at Arrowhead Resort started early Thursday morning - moving buses and equipment away from the banks of the Illinois River.

The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission is trying to get the word out about the possibility of flooding.

The commission's director said models predicting a half-a-foot of rainfall and a fast flowing river have the potential to create flooding.

Rod Foster operates Elephant Rock Nature Park; he's seen the river rise and fall from his perch.

"The river is a living thing that will fluctuate," he said. “We'll check with our neighbors and see if there's anything that needs to be done, and if everybody's good, we just sit back and wait until it goes back down."

This isn't the first time resort owners and float operators went through major flooding; four years ago the rising river washed up to the banks and into the cabins.

“The scare is, really, we want to protect our investment, protect our equipment and our buses and things like that," Spears said.

By Monday, the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission said the gauges are forecasting the river to be somewhere above 20 feet.

The Scenic Rivers Commission said landowners shouldn't wait for the rain to start falling before moving hay bales and livestock away from the river.

And always check the online river gages and with a local outfitter before going on the river.