IDAHO, USA — A section of the Snake River reopened to the public Thursday after closures were put into effect due to the discovery of invasive quagga mussels last month. Portions of the river upstream remain closed to all public entry.
Following a vote, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission reopened fishing, hunting and trapping from Ken Curtis Bridge at Highway 46 to near Auger Falls, including the partial bridge structure also known as "the Broken Bridge."
Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) made the decision in conjunction with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), lifting its closures along the same section. The two departments put the river closures into effect on Sept. 22.
The closures were part of Idaho's emergency response to the detection of quagga mussels in Twin Falls. The findings of the invasive species prompted state officials to implement bans and closures on several stretches of the Snake River.
On Monday, Sept. 25, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture issued a statement concerning the public and people not staying out the water, as was issued.
In a follow-up news release on Oct. 17, Magic Valley Regional Supervisor Craig White thanked the public for heeding warnings and respecting the closures and bans.
"We appreciate the public's cooperation in staying out of this section of the river while it was being treated to kill quagga mussels," White said. "Now we're able to reopen a section of it for hunters, anglers and trappers, but please remember the importance cleaning, draining and drying all your boats and gear that come in contact with the water."
IDFG remains adamant that all watercraft entering the reopened area should be taken to a wash station for decontamination after exiting the river. The closest to the reopened area is at the Twin Falls Visitors Center.
ISDA, along with several other agencies, treated a six-mile section of the river with copper in early October to eliminate the mussels. Treatment to kill the invasive quagga mussel concluded on Oct. 13.
Lloyd Knight, the deputy director for the ISDA, said it would take a few years for the contaminated stretch of the Snake River to reopen completely.
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture and Idaho Fish and Game will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.
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