BOISE, Idaho — Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and Idaho Fish and Game reopened access to previously closed section of the Snake River.
Water access is open to the public between Broken Bridge (Yingst Grade) and Pillar Falls, according to a news release from Idaho Fish and Game. Access from Pillar Falls to Twin Falls Dam remains closed, as of Dec. 20.
For any watercrafts in the area of Broken Bridge (Yingst Grade) and Pillar Falls, decontamination is mandatory. Decontamination should take place before and after being in the river. Watercrafts include boats, kayaks, paddleboards, and other vessels in water.
ISDA watercraft inspections and decontaminations are free, and the decontamination station is set up at Centennial Park.
Access to the river water between Broken Bridge (Yingst Grade) and Pillar Falls is not allowed outside of Centennial Park operating hours.
As previously reported by KTVB, the section of river was closed to allow Idaho Fish and Game to treat the invasive species quagga mussels from the Snake River. They used a copper-based formula to help eliminate the species.
The copper levels of the Snake River have dissipated as expected, and ISDA is not seeing any additional copper in the river. The adult mussels, found in September, died within the first 48 hours of the water treatment. ISDA stated initial samples indicate the treatment affected both larvae and adult populations, however it is too early to conclude if it completely eradicated the mussels at this time.
According to ISDA, quagga mussels generally stop reproducing once the water is below roughly 57 degrees Fahrenheit (or 14 degree Celsius). When springtime comes and the water warms, sampling and surveying the water will resume.
ISDA urges all Idaho watercraft users to clean, drain, and dry all watercraft. ISDA offers free decontamination washes and can be reached at 877-336-8676.
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