Escatawpa Hollow Park River access temporarily closed due to unsafe water

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Due to heavy rainstorms on July 25, Mobile County sent out a media alert stating that Escatawpa Hollow Park’s river and beach access would be closed until further notice.

On weekends, the Escatawpa park has hundreds of visitors depending on the weather. Some come to kayak, fish, or enjoy a summer day at the river.

But, if you were planning on heading to the park this weekend for river fun, you may want to wait.

Sharee Broussard, Director of Public Affairs and Community Services, said that the waters are high, and currents are swift.

“It’s the combination of the height of the water and the current flow rate or the discharge rate of the river. So, it’s a combination of those factors that make the… make it unsafe for use,” Broussard said.

The Escatawpa River’s watersheds often tend to spike and fall slowly after heavy rains shower, resulting in park closures for public safety.

“Water is water and water does not care about you. And so same as with the beach. You watch out for rip currents, you try to be safe, do all the proper procedures,” Anna Breazeale, a local kayaker, said. “You don’t want to go by yourself if you’re not like, experienced and if the water is high and not what you’re used to.”

There was just 12- to- 14 feet of water on Thursday, July 25, where the average height of water is below 11 feet.

According to Broussard, regardless of river stage, the danger is the fast currents itself.

“When there’s a heavy, heavy rainfall that’s how fast the river is, it doesn’t rise immediately,” said Broussard. “And if it rains heavily, then it drains from the whole watershed, which begins in Washington County, and it flows along the Alabama and Mississippi state line, basically.”

Park officials always release a statement once river conditions are not deemed safe for visitors. And when it is, the park will also make an announcement.

You can monitor the park’s water conditions through the USGS Gage .

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