Temporary closure of Reclamation lands on and adjacent to Joe’s Island in Dawson County, Montana

GLENDIVE, Mont. - Bureau of Reclamation, Montana Area Office is issuing a temporary closure of Reclamation lands located on and adjacent to Joe's Island on the south side of the Yellowstone River in Dawson County, 20 miles north of Glendive, Montana to facilitate maintenance activities within the Intake Bypass Channel. Lands impacted by this closure are located in Sections 35 and 36, Township 18 North; and Sections 1 and 2, Township 17 North all in Range 56 East, MPM. This closure will affect approximately 1,335 acres of land consisting of Joe's Island and 118 acres facilitating an adjacent staging area. This closure will be in affect from November 18, 2024, through April 15, 2025. In addition to the land closure, watercraft travel through the Intake Bypass Channel will not be possible due to the presence of a cofferdam and limited flows down the bypass channel.

This closure accommodates the maintenance work on the Intake Bypass Channel which provides fish passage for the endangered pallid sturgeon around Intake Diversion Dam on the Yellowstone River. The Project includes reconstruction and stabilization of approximately 3,400 feet of the eroded bank that resulted from high flows in the Yellowstone River during the 2022 runoff season. All construction efforts are expected to be completed by April 15, 2025.

Access to Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Park's Intake Fishing Access Site (Intake FAS) and campground on the north side of the Yellowstone River will not be impacted by this closure. County Road 303 on the south side of the Yellowstone River will also not be impacted by this closure.

For further questions please contact: Jack Conner with the Bureau of Reclamation at (406) 247-7300.

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