Dangerous water flows have forced Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials to close a 4 mile section of the Bitterroot River near Corvallis to floaters.
The area affected is in between the Woodside fishing access and the Tucker fishing access.
A boater died in this area last year.
The hazard is around a supply ditch diversion dam used for irrigation.
FWP officials say rising water has made it almost impossible for floaters to safely navigate around the dam.
Ravalli County rescue crews have already responded to two accidents here this year.
NBC Montana is told Fish Wildlife and Parks are looking into a more permanent fix to this hazard so they don’t have to close such a large section of the river.
With the near record runoff expected this year, they’re not taking any chances.
“Really, there’s just been a big change, even in the last week. People that were floating the river last week and portaged around the dam then were able to find access, but in the past week, the flows have picked up,” Vivaca Crowser, with Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
Anglers can still access this stretch of river from the shore. This only applies to floaters.
NBC Montana is told the closure could be in effect through June.