Full and partial closures of Bear Valley/Stanley Landmark and Dagger Falls/Boundary Roads
SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - During the 2023 summer boating season, traffic to and from the Middle Fork of the Salmon River will be impacted by road and access improvement projects.
The Forest Service has been able to secure more than $12 million in funding to improve road conditions and access to public land over the next two years. A portion of the funding comes from the Great American Outdoors Act. In 2023, these projects will cause delays to and from both rivers and for one weeklong and one ten (10) day period, full closures will be in effect on the Boundary Creek Road (#579) and Dagger Falls Road (#468).
Closures and delays are subject to change. Every effort will be made to communicate these changes to boaters and other users with as much advance notice as possible. The Salmon-Challis National Forest appreciates the public’s patience and understanding the short-term inconvenience these projects will cause. In the long term, these projects will greatly benefit boater traffic and public land access.
WEEKDAY TEMPORARY CLOSURES (new dates):
Beginning July 31, for the remainder of the boating season, the Boundary Creek #579 and Dagger Falls #568 roads may be closed for up to five hours daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Boaters should access Boundary Creek outside of those times. When the road is open to travel, there may be multiple delays of up to 30 minutes. Expect to encounter construction traffic from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Outside of the full closures, no work will take place on weekends or federal holidays.
FULL CLOSURE PERIODS (unchanged):
Fir Creek Bridge Replacement
Between August 8 and August 15, a section of Boundary Creek Road #579 (between Cape Horn Summit to the intersection with the Dagger Falls Road #568) will be closed. An alternate route to Bruce Meadows and the Boundary Boat Launch/Dagger Falls area is available via FS Road #582 from Lowman, ID.
Boundary Creek Road Maintenance
A full closure of the Dagger Falls Road #568 (from Bruce Meadows to Boundary Creek) will be in place with no access to the boat launch between September 5 through September 15 for the replacement of culverts and a bridge installation. Boaters will have to fly into the Indian Creek Launch Site or one of the other river access points downstream of Indian Creek.
The Salmon‐Challis National Forest is implementing a Road Closure Order, Order Number: 04‐13‐23‐03.
The Road Closure Order #04-13-23-03 is described as follows:
DESCRIBED ROADS
Roads 40568 and 40579
Otherwise known as “Bear Valley/Stanley Landmark” or “Dagger Falls/Boundary” roads.
DAILY CLOSURES: That portion from the junction with Idaho State Highway 21 to two miles past (north) Dagger Creek Bridge.
Daily temporary closures starting July 31, 2023, until completion of the contract or November 15, whichever comes first: 10 AM to 3 PM Monday thru Friday, and
FULL ROAD CLOSURES as indicated.
- 400579 Road – Cape Horn Summit to Intersection with FSR 400568: August 8 - 15
- 400568 Road – Intersection with FSR 400579 Road to 2 miles past (north of) Dagger Creek Crossing: September 6 - 15
The purpose of this Order is to notify and protect the public during heavy and/or impassable construction activities (ex: large culvert and bridge replacements). The public will be advised when access is restored.
This Order shall be in effect from July 21, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. through Nov. 15th, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., unless rescinded.
