FWP Reopens Smith River

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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials reopened the Smith River to floaters on April 11.

“FWP’s Smith River manager flew the river and found that the impassable stretches of ice covering the river had melted,” says Roger Semler, FWP Region 4 parks manager.

In late March, floaters informed FWP that the Smith was ice-covered and impassable in several 50 to 300 yard stretches, including the Indian Springs Boat Camp area below Camp Baker, the put-in spot for floaters.

The FWP Commission closed the river March 27, authorizing the agency to reopen it to floating when it is ice-free.

The Smith River runs through a 59-mile, semi-wilderness corridor. Permits are required to float the river between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge.

“While dangerous ice blockages have melted, the river was flowing at the very low level of 94 CFS as of Friday morning,” Semler said. "This flow is well below the minimum recommended level for all types of watercraft."  

In addition, there is some lingering bank snow and ice that may present challenges when landing watercraft, and dangerous log jams are always possible.

F loaters may call the Smith River Reservation Line for information at 406-454-5861 between 8 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday.

For more on the Smith River go to the FWP web page at fwp.mt.gov and look on the Parks and Recreation page for Smith River.