The closure of nearly 200 miles of the Yellowstone River and its tributaries flowing through Montana is being described as “unprecedented” by officials of the State’s Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, reports Reuters.
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Officials said that other stressors like near-record low flows, consistent high temperatures, and the disturbance caused by recreational activities exacerbate the effects of the disease. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks estimates the fish kill to be in the tens of thousands and issued a closure of all water-based recreation on the Yellowstone from the Yellowstone National Park’s northern boundary to Laurel, according to a press release.
As of today, all recreational water activities have been banned in Yellowstone River and its tributaries; this includes fishing, boating, wading, even floating.
The Yellowstone River was closed for an area of 183 miles, from the northern boundary of the Yellowstone National Park up to the city of Laurel. Angling trips start as early as 7 a.m.so boats were being pulled off the river.
“It’s huge”, said John Bailey of Dan Bailey Fly Shop in Livingston. So you’re talking about a major deal here.
“The real question is when we will open?” he added.
The agency has found more than 2,000 dead mountain whitefish along stretches of the Yellowstone River, with an estimated 20,000 or more whitefish presumed killed in the massive outbreak. The parasite has also affected populations of rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, which are both crucial players in the area’s fishing industry.
Reid says half a dozen park staff are monitoring waters there for dead fish, and at this time no closures are planned. Biologists said the closure may help slow the spread of the disease. “It’s definitely a big part of the Livingston and area economy”. Officials feel that the closure is necessary to protect a state resource and the economy it sustains.
The mountain whitefish, which is a native species to Montana, have been found dead on the river’s east and west banks.
The disease infecting the fish is caused by a microscopic parasite called Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae. However, more recent outbreaks appeared in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. In trout, research has shown this disease to have the potential to cause 20 to 100 percent mortality. Officials said it does not pose a health risk to people. DEQ public policy director Kristi Ponozzo said they will test for things that might cause human or aquatic health concerns, such as metals, nutrients, acidity and temperature. “We must be guided by science. Our state cannot afford this infectious disease to spread to other streams and rivers and it’s my responsibility to do everything we can to stop this threat in its tracks and protect Montana jobs and livelihoods”.
“It’s unprecedented”, Bailey said Friday morning, saying that as for fishing’s economic impact, “It’s going to be devastating”. “I’m not sure how, but we’ll see – any restriction like that affects us, but not necessarily negatively”.
The closure could last for months if river conditions don’t improve and fish keep dying, according to officials from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
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Bailey noted that stream flows won’t increase until next spring.
