'Free the River' signs appear along Bitterroot

HAMILTON  — Signs have appeared along a closed portion of the Bitterroot River that say “Free the River.”

Officials closed the river this month to floaters between the Woodside and Tucker fishing access sites near a diversion dam.

A 6-year-old girl drowned there last summer and officials say there have been a couple of close calls there this month.

Pat Saffel of Fish, Wildlife and Parks says the agency is looking for comments on what should be done about the dam.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks is looking to do an assessment to see how safety can be improved.

Saffel says the closure will probably remain in place until the river’s high flows stabilize in July, when additional warning signs should be in place.