roaring river

Eric Lee Hahn fund carries on diver’s legacy

Endowment will spread diver’s love of exploration to new generations Nestled in the Ozark hills near Cassville, Roaring River State Park is home to one of the deepest underwater cave systems in the country. For decades, divers have tried to chart the vast caverns of Roaring River Spring, which, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, pumps 20 million gallons of turquoise, 57-degree water into the river every day.
Read MoreEric Lee Hahn fund carries on diver’s legacy

Multiple factors affect visitors, revenue at RRSP

Ozarks Region Deputy Director Carl Bonnell says he doesn’t put too much stock in visitor counts at individual Missouri state parks, perhaps because the revenue generated within parks represents the smaller fraction (25%) of the total revenue upon which the parks system budgets. The remaining 75% of operating and developmental expenses are covered by the constitutional, 1/10-cent Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax, first approved by Missouri voters in 1984, and reapproved multiple times since then.
Read MoreMultiple factors affect visitors, revenue at RRSP

Improvements at Roaring River State Park

Missouri State Parks personnel gathered at the Emory Melton Inn on June 6 to update the public on an extensive list of projects completed, plus those still in progress, at Roaring River State Park. Assistant Park Manager Forrest Brumm said completed projects include the renovation of the Honeymoon Cabin, the removal of the swimming pool, the installation of new playground equipment near the CCC shelter, the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers and repairs to roofs of existing structures throughout the park.
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Roaring River State Park buffeted by May 26 windstorm

While most residents in Cassville were caught by surprise by the overnight May 26 windstorm that swept through town, personnel at Roaring River State Park were forewarned, said Interim Superintendent Mike Busekrus. The wee hours of Sunday, May 26, could be considered a trial by fire for Busekrus, who took up the reins of park management in March after the superintendent position was vacated by Melinda Kitchens.
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Roaring River concessions to be open year-round

Along with the welcome news that storm sirens are scheduled for installation in the campgrounds and near the lodge, attendees at Roaring River State Park’s annual public meeting on June 6 learned that concessions at the park will be open year-round, including the park store, the restaurant and lodging. The concessions are now operated by ExploreUS, a national company that submitted the winning bid after previous concessionaires, Jim and Carmen Rogers, declined to apply for a new contract.
Read MoreRoaring River concessions to be open year-round