Fish stranded from dam malfunction on Montana river

By MATTHEW BROWN
Associated Press

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife workers and volunteers were scrambling to save fish stranded by an abrupt drop in water levels on a Montana river that’s renowned among anglers. A malfunctioning gate on Hebgen Dam caused flows into the Madison River to plummet early Tuesday. Fly fishing shop owner Kelly Galloup says some fish already have died. But more than 100 volunteers showed up Wednesday to help scoop up thousands of fish trapped in side channels and return them to the main stem of the river. NorthWestern Energy operates the dam. A company representative says repair work on the gate was expected to begin as early as Wednesday evening.