County aims to curb jumping from Flathead River bridges

Flathead County plans to post new signs warning people that jumping from county bridges into the Flathead River is not allowed.

The signs will go up on the new Old Steel Bridge and the Leisure Island Bridge. Both are areas where teens and young adults frequently jump into the Flathead River from the bridges.

County Public Works Director Dave Prunty said there has been an increase in the number of people jumping off both of the bridges that are maintained by the county, and the county has decided it is time to attempt to curb the activity.

“This has been an issue for quite some time and this summer has gotten worse,” he said. “I’m not sure if it’s been the hot, dry summer or an increase in the number of people in the valley that has caused this.”

Flathead County commissioners on Aug. 31 unanimously approved placing signs on the bridges that state, “Warning. No jumping from bridge allowed.”

The county routinely cuts off ropes tied to bridges that swimmers use as a swing into the river. The county’s bridge supervisor witnessed a young person hold onto a rope too long and come very close to hitting a large rock riprap on the bank that protects the bridge abutment, Prunty noted.

At the Leisure Island Bridge, residents trying to access their homes regularly report that kids are impeding driving on the bridge by refusing to move to let vehicles pass by.

The county plans to post signs at each end of the bridges and possibly near the location on the bridge where swimmers jump from the most.

Prunty said the posting of the signs will aid the bridge department when calling law enforcement if people are witnessed jumping from the bridge.

At the suggestion of commissioners, Prunty said he would ask the Montana Department of Transportation to consider placing similar signs on its bridges in the county.

Features Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.