05-23-2008, 11:10 AM
Flooding has forced the closure of seven Fishing Access Sites on the Bitterroot River. Closed sites from south to north include Hannon Memorial, Wally Crawford, Angler's Roost, Woodside Bridge, Bell Crossing, Poker Joe and Florence Bridge. Closures will remain in place until flood conditions subside.
<br>Boaters are advised to not venture onto the Bitterroot River until flood-stage flows recede. The water is very cold from melting snowpack and the flows are high and powerful. Snags and debris will also come down the river, creating dangerous conditions.<br>
<br>With the above-normal snowpack and water content in the mountains and the warm air temperatures, flows on other area rivers are also expected to continue to increase. Although all access sites along the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers remain open, visitors to these sites should use caution and check for a current list of closures, as changing conditions may warrant future closures.<br>
<br>FWP will list any FAS closures for west-central Montana on the web at fwp.mt.gov/r2 and will post closed FASs with signs and barricades. Contact the FWP Missoula office at (406) 542-5500 for additional information.
<br>Boaters are advised to not venture onto the Bitterroot River until flood-stage flows recede. The water is very cold from melting snowpack and the flows are high and powerful. Snags and debris will also come down the river, creating dangerous conditions.<br>
<br>With the above-normal snowpack and water content in the mountains and the warm air temperatures, flows on other area rivers are also expected to continue to increase. Although all access sites along the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers remain open, visitors to these sites should use caution and check for a current list of closures, as changing conditions may warrant future closures.<br>
<br>FWP will list any FAS closures for west-central Montana on the web at fwp.mt.gov/r2 and will post closed FASs with signs and barricades. Contact the FWP Missoula office at (406) 542-5500 for additional information.