RIVERVIEW FLOODS!
We would like to extend a Thank You to Bradley Good for sending us these pictures belonging Jo Shields. Ms Shields had these pictures in 1944 after the Des Moines river flooded Riverview. It was one of the few times that the river threatened Riverview during the parks 63 year history ...and won.
What began as an exciting new season suddenly turned to disaster for Riverview in May of 1944. The park had just opened for the season on Friday, May 19th 1944. Although it had been a rainy spring and the Des Moines River was excessively high the park was protected from the river by an earthen city levee.
At around dawn Tuesday morning, May 23nd, the levee began to collapse. The river was too much to hold back. Quickly the breach in the levee grew to nearly 100-feet wide and the river water quickly enveloped all of the park and it's surrounding neighbors.
This is the entrance as one is about to cross the bridge
A flood shot looking north showing part of the Merry Go Round building. I believe this is when the water was starting to recede. During the floods crest you could barely see the heads of the horses on the Merry go Round.
This flood shot was taken pointed southeast standing (floating) about in the center of the park lawn area.
A flood picture looking west towards the front of the Coaster. Flying Scooter planes are submerged just to the right of the camera.
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