News Release Archive

Reclamation to Close Road Across Palisades Dam

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@usbr.gov
Chris Ketchum, cketchum@usbr.gov

For Release: April 28, 2011

Effective today, the Bureau of Reclamation will close vehicle access across the crest of Palisades Dam. This action follows the U.S. Forest Service closure of Forest Road 076 from Palisades Dam to Calamity Junction.

Reclamation and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest have been monitoring a landslide situation located just south and west of Palisades Dam, near the Calamity Campground and boat-ramp. Palisades Dam is located on the Snake River about 70 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Over the last 10 days, the landslide has moved substantially and has disrupted the access road near the Calamity Campground.

"Sizeable movement has disrupted the road surface south of the dam. For public safety reasons, we are asking that folks find an alternate route if they need to travel to the area west of Palisades Dam. Also, it should be noted that the landslide does not pose any threat to the dam or its operation" said Chris Ketchum, Assistant Area Manager with the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Snake Field Office.

The road over the dam will remain closed until all safety issues have been resolved in coordination with the Forest Service and Bonneville County. The Calamity Area can be accessed traveling on South Snake River Road (076).

For more information, please contact Chris Ketchum at (208) 678-0461 ext. 34.

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