Flooded roadways and parking areas forced closures or restricted access at five Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Fishing Access Sites (FASs) on the Bitterroot River and one on the Blackfoot this week.
Bitterroot access sites impacted by closures and restrictions from south to north include the campground portion of Hannon Memorial, Darby Bridge, Woodside Bridge, Bell Crossing, and the lower portions of Florence Bridge.
On the Blackfoot, officials placed a partial closure on Harry Morgan FAS. The boat ramp and campground are closed, but visitors can still park at the upper parking area and access the river by foot.
FWP FAS Manager, Rory Zarling, reminders boaters that the river is closed temporarily from Woodside downstream to Tucker FAS, due to dangerous conditions at a diversion dam on that stretch of river.
Because Woodside FAS is now closed due to flooding, Angler’s Roost FAS is the last FWP takeout above the closure with a boat ramp. Demmons FAS is available for carry-in boat access, and Blodgett Park and Veteran’s Bridge, other public sites not managed by FWP, may be available for boater access depending on flood conditions. Be sure to check site access before floating.
Closures and restrictions will continue until flood conditions subside. Additional FAS closures around western Montana are possible as conditions change, and recreationists should look for barricades and signs to indicate closed sites. FWP urges caution if venturing on or near rivers during high water.
For updates, visit fwp.mt.gov and choose “restrictions and closures.”
(Report by Montana FWP; Feature photo via project49.rossfinlayson.com60)
