This Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, photo shows dead whitefish floating in the Yellowstone River near Emigrant, Mont. Montana wildlife officials closed a stretch of the river and numerous tributaries after a massive fish kill that is blamed on a contagious parasite. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

This Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, photo shows dead whitefish floating in the Yellowstone River near Emigrant, Mont. Montana wildlife officials closed a stretch of the river and numerous tributaries after a massive fish kill that is blamed on a contagious parasite. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

More tests set for Yellowstone, tributaries after fish deaths

BILLINGS, Mont. — Wildlife workers will conduct tests on fish from additional areas of Montana to determine the extent of a disease blamed in a massive fish kill along the Yellowstone River, officials said Monday.

The state indefinitely closed a 183-mile stretch of the river to all recreational activities on Friday after thousands of dead fish washed up along the river’s banks in the Paradise Valley area north of Yellowstone National Park.

Biologists are trying to determine if the little-understood parasite that’s blamed for the deaths has infected fish further downstream and in several major tributaries. Those tributaries also were closed under the order from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Crews will be collecting fish throughout the week on the Yellowstone downstream of Springdale and on three tributaries — the Shields, Boulder and Stillwater rivers, said Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokeswoman Andrea Jones.

Results of laboratory tests are expected within a few days of collection. The parasite at issue causes infected fish to develop proliferative kidney disease. Warm water temperatures and low river levels have worsened the problem by stressing the Yellowstone’s fish populations and making them more prone to dying.

The river’s closure during the busy summer season dealt a major blow to fishing guides, fly shops, rafting companies and others who work in the region’s thriving outdoors industry.

Officials have warned the closure could last for weeks or even months. It’s intended to prevent the parasite from spreading to other waterways via contaminated boats, fishing waders or other gear.

However, state officials have acknowledged the order is all but impossible to enforce and they’re counting heavily on voluntary compliance. The order did not apply to Yellowstone National Park.

Eric Burge of Livingston was among those forced to change plans, prematurely ending what was to have been a multi-day float trip down the river. As he washed down his raft with a washcloth, Burge said he was disappointed but was “here for the long haul.”

“I love this river and am happy to take off it and put back on another day when there’s not a potential to damage other waterways,” he said.

So far, most of the fish killed have been whitefish. Few have been trout, a highly prized species among many anglers.

Dozens of independent outfitters depend on the trout fishery in the Yellowstone, charging clients up to $500 a day for a guided float trip, said Leslie Feigel, executive director for the Livingston Chamber of Commerce.

Some of those guides can relocate to rivers outside the closure area if they have the proper permits, but that’s not the case for everyone, she said.

If the fish kill had happened in June, the consequences would have been far worse, Feigel added.

Gov. Steve Bullock planned to visit the river Tuesday, state officials said.

A community meeting on the closure and fish kill was scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Park County Fairgrounds in Livingston.

Jones said members of the public want to know when the river will open.

“That’s something we can’t say, but we can help them understand why it is closed to this extent,” she said.

A dead whitefish floats belly up near the Mayors Landing Fishing Access in the Yellowstone River in Livingston, Mont. on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016.  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. FWP lab results reveal the catalyst of the kill to be Proliferative Kidney Disease ' one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout.   (/Livingston Enterprise via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

A dead whitefish floats belly up near the Mayors Landing Fishing Access in the Yellowstone River in Livingston, Mont. on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. 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. FWP lab results reveal the catalyst of the kill to be Proliferative Kidney Disease ‘ one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout. (/Livingston Enterprise via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

This Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, photo shows the Yellowstone River near Pray, Mont. The normally-busy waterway has been closed to fishing, boating and all other activities after a contagious parasite caused a massive fish kill. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

This Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, photo shows the Yellowstone River near Pray, Mont. The normally-busy waterway has been closed to fishing, boating and all other activities after a contagious parasite caused a massive fish kill. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 3

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Three nominated for upcoming vacancy on Alaska Supreme Court

Dunleavy has 45 days to make final selection; will make the court majority female for first time.

Karen Brewer-Tarver, a partner with the Juneau-based accounting firm Elgee Rehfeld, presents results from a third-party audit of the Juneau School District for past fiscal year to the Juneau Board of Education’s Finance Committee on Thursday night. (Screenshot from Juneau School District livestream)
Positive ending: School district emerges from fiscal crisis with first audit without a deficit in years

Report finds lingering problems with “internal controls,” recommends more staff and refining procedures.

Dan Allard (left) and Philip Martinez (center) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers listen to John Bohan, an engineer with the City and Borough of Juneau, as the three men provide information about flood barriers to Juneau Assembly members during a meeting Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Experts address flood barrier concerns of Assembly, will meet with residents next week

Advice for homeowners seeking to protect themselves to be offered by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

William Todd Hunt guides the Taku Winds ensemble through a rehearsal of music by Indigenous composers on Tuesday evening at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Taku Winds will be blowing wildly this weekend with concert featuring Indigenous composers

“Eagles, Ravens and Wolf” scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School

Þorsteinn Þorsteinsson looks at a moulin on the Sólheimajökull glacier on Oct. 20. A moulin, or glacier mill, is a crevasse through which water enters a glacier from the surface. (Jasz Garrett / For the Juneau Empire)
Breaching a gap of 3,296 miles: Iceland’s experience with jökulhlaups

Glacial outburst floods a threat there for more than 1,100 years — what can Juneau learn from them?

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, speaks to members of the Senate majority caucus’ leadership group on Friday, April 12, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Education, energy and elections among priorities of Alaska Senate’s post-election agenda

Senate’s previous bipartisan majority will continue, albeit a bit smaller, after election.

A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau man gets 18-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of a minor

Craig Foster, 63, pleaded guilty to charge involving girl between 9 and 11 years old.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read