BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Bureau of Reclamation, has temporarily closed road access to Reclamation facilities at Heart Butte Reservoir's (Lake Tschida) Downstream Recreation Area and Rimrock Recreation Area. This road closure will be in effect until further notice.
"For the safety of people monitoring the dam and for the safety of the public, Reclamation must restrict public access on the Reclamation-owned roads into these recreation areas," said Area Manager Arden Freitag. "High spillway releases and flooded areas along the outlet works and river present hazards not seen in normal conditions. Reclamation identified the need to restrict public access to help provide protection for the public, our staff and the dam."
Reclamation reports that water levels in Lake Tschida are expected to continue to rise and spillway releases will continue to occur for the foreseeable future. According to Darrin Goetzfried, Manager, Facilities and Engineering for the Dakotas Area Office, spring snowmelt and higher than normal inflows into the lake are expected to continue over the next several days.
The actual duration of closure is not known at this time, but will likely last several weeks. For further information please contact Patience Mosbrucker, Public Involvement Specialist for the Dakotas Area Office at 701-471-4974 or 701-221-1204.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
