In response to the recent detection of invasive larval quagga mussels within the Snake River on the Centennial Water Park in Twin Falls, Idaho Fish and Game is briefly closing water access to the general public on lands owned and managed by Fish and Game alongside the Snake River efficient Sept. 21. The closure extends from Shoshone Falls downstream to the Highway 46 bridge throughout the Snake River north of Buhl. Nine Fish and Game properties are impacted by the closure, a few of that are closed in cooperation with adjoining public landowners.
Area closures are meant to permit Idaho State Department of Agriculture to judge the extent of quagga mussels within the Snake River and forestall additional unfold. This invasive species can shortly unfold and clog pipes that ship water for ingesting, vitality, agriculture, recreation, and quite a lot of different makes use of. They additionally may negatively have an effect on fish populations and wildlife habitat.
The closure particularly restricts access to ponds on every of the properties in addition to access to the Snake River. The intent is to restrict potential unfold of quagga mussels past the world the place they’ve been detected in Twin Falls.
The affected properties throughout the Magic Valley Region embrace: Auger Falls Park, Yingst Grade, Scott’s Pond, Pugmire Park, Magic Valley Fish Hatchery, Cedar Draw Sportsmen’s Access, Bordewick Sportsmen’s Access, Niagara Springs Fish Hatchery and Niagara Springs Wildlife Management Area.
The closure doesn’t prohibit access to land-based actions on these Fish and Game lands.
“The closure will have an immediate impact on hunters and anglers who typically access the Snake River on Department-owned properties to hunt waterfowl or who fish the river” in keeping with John Guthrie, Manager of the Niagara Springs Wildlife Management Area, “we want hunters and anglers to choose other areas to hunt or fish until the closure is lifted so that the Idaho Department of Agriculture can continue to safely assess the extent of quagga mussels in the Snake River.”
The weekend of Sept. 23-24 is the youth/veterans and active-duty navy waterfowl searching alternative. Those that want to take part on this waterfowl hunt are strongly inspired to hunt out searching areas which are away from the closure space on the Snake River, upstream from Highway 46.
For extra details about the closure please contact the Magic Valley Region at (208) 324-4359.
For extra details about the quagga mussel detection within the Snake River please contact the Idaho Department of Agriculture at (208) 332-8500.
