Smith Remains Open but Winter Conditions Persist

Print

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials have decided not to close the Smith River to recreational floating despite a recent cold snap that temporarily resulted in the river freezing over in many areas.   But officials are warning floaters to be prepared for near winter weather conditions.

“There are low water flows and nasty weather,” says Gary Bertellotti, FWP regional supervisor in Great Falls.

Agency officials in Great Falls said in a conference call with FWP commissioners today that cold temperatures, and forecasts for more severe weather pose winter-like conditions for Smith River floaters.

While the commission gave FWP’s director the authority to close the popular central Montana state park, the decision was made to leave it open.

“Unless ice forms and blocks the river we will not close it,” he said.

An aerial survey this morning showed no ice jams on the river and two parties that launched April 18 and 19 still on the river but moving downstream.

And while the river is ice free, bank ice remains and the flows are below FWP floating recommendations.

FWP recommends a minimum of 150 cubic feet per second for canoes, 250 cfs for rafts and 350 for drift boats. This afternoon the flows were measured at 134 cfs.

FWP closed the Smith River to floating earlier this month due to impassable ice floes and reopened the river on April 11 after a spate of unseasonably warm spring temperatures cleared the river of ice.

The Smith River is a unique 59-mile river corridor. Permits are required to float the river between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge. The trip typically takes about four days.

F loaters may call the Smith River Reservation Line at 406-454-5861 between 8 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday, to inquire about the status of the river.

For more on the Smith River go to the FWP web page at fwp.mt.gov. Click Smith River Floating.