Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is lifting a seasonal closure on the Blackfoot River and opening it to floating beginning Friday, June 26.
The annual closure for the period of May 1 through June 30 has been in effect on the Blackfoot River from Weigh Station Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Clark Fork River for public safety concerns at high river flows. The closure was originally adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission in May 2014 for a two-year period.
Closure of this portion of the lower Blackfoot River was necessary to increase public awareness and safety associated with changing river and debris conditions and the Interstate-90 bridge piers, which could have endangered river floaters particularly during high water periods.
While the Blackfoot River will reopen, the Milltown Superfund restoration work area, on the right bank Clark Fork River and the Blackfoot River downstream from the I-90 bridges, remains closed to the public.
FWP reminds the public that rivers can always present hazards, even at low flows. Boaters should follow river safety tips on this and all rivers, including wearing a life jacket, watching for debris, staying clear of the bridge piers and other entrapment hazards, traveling in groups and assessing your skill level before attempting unfamiliar stretches of river.
Anyone with questions should contact the Region 2 FWP office in Missoula at 542-5500.
(Report via Montana FWP)
