Safety concerns are forcing a number of residents and visitors out of a popular campsite.
Dutch’s Campground has been forced to issue notice to everyone at the site to pack up and leave due to a risk of several large trees falling.
“The high water levels has sure dampened the fun but safety is the No. 1 priority,” said owner Darren Dalgarno.
Monday night two huge trees fell on a vacant spot and no one was hurt, but there is concern that other trees could also come down. The rising creek that runs through the campground has eroded the banks and some of the roots of the trees, creating a potentially dangerous situation.
“In total we have just about 100 sites and each site would’ve held about four people,” said Dalgarno.
With Funtastic in town this weekend, hundreds of people have been affected by the situation.
“It’s a huge loss for Dutch’s Campground,” said Dalgarno. “We were booked full for Funtastic.”
Thankfully, O’Keefe Ranch has opened up its overflow camping to accommodate those ball players displaced.
Meanwhile some of the approximately 20 long-term campers in large trailers and RV units are forced to find a new home.
“I feel bad for the people who have to find alternative places to go,” said Dalgarno, adding that some are digging in their heels and are resistant to leave.
Meanwhile, tree specialists have been called in but trailers need to be moved so they can fall danger trees.
“Once they say it’s safe again then we can open, we just don’t know,” he said. “We might be able to open it up in different stages.”
While this is a significant hit to the Coldstream campground, it’s not the first effect of flood damage.
“Because of all the flooding in the area, business has been down,” said Dalgarno, who has had to dash plans of those wanting to get out on the lake. “You have to be honest and tell them you can’t take your boat out on the lake.”
On top of a hit to revenue, the campground has been altered as sandbags and berms have been put in place to keep it from flooding.