Palisades Dam Road construction now complete

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - The Caribou Targhee National Forest says the paving of 5.7 miles of the Snake River-Calamity Road has completed a plan to provide public access to the south of Palisades Dam. The Palisades Dam Road was closed after 9/11 as a security precaution.

"We had a lot of use on that road, and we knew it was important for the county," said Roger Christensen, Bonneville County Commissioner. "We had to make this a priority and figure out how to fund improvements to the road." With assistance from the U.S. Forest Service, the county applied for and was awarded a Federal Lands and Highway Program (FLAP) grant. 

Forest statistics indicate the area sees up to 700 visitors per day, services 30 summer homes, 3 major trail heads, and 40,000 acres of public lands. 

Colter said the road will provide much better access to the Calamity Boat Ramp and Campground, which are the only westside recreational areas on the reservoir.