In anticipation of flooding, Department of Natural Resources officials have closed the Big Lake State Park in Holt County.

The state park is on the oxbow lake near the Missouri River and also closed last year because of flooding.

Staff members are moving furniture and other items and shutting off utilities at the park.

It will re-open once officials determine it is safe to return.

The Missouri River is expected to start increasing in Missouri starting Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.  150,000 cubic feet per second of water will be released from Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota.