Part of Stillwater River closed to watercraft because of exposed pipeline

By: Daily Montanan Staff - August 8, 2022 7:04 pm

An exposed part of a natural gas pipeline running through the Stillwater River on Aug. 8, 2022 (Courtesy of the Montana Department of Fish, Parks and Wildlife).

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks has closed the Stillwater River to all watercraft between Absaroka Fishing Access Site and the confluence of the Rosebud River, which is just upstream of Jeffreys Landing Fishing Access Site.

Working closely with Stillwater County Commissioners, FWP is providing an emergency closure of the area until further notice. The closure will begin at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9. The closure is for watercraft on the river, not other river access.

An exposed natural gas pipeline has created a dangerous obstacle in the river and is impeding floaters’ ability to safely negotiate around it. Low water levels have reduced the width of the river and is now forcing floaters to go over the pipeline twice and into a debris pile on the lower portion that could potentially cause injury or drowning.

The pipeline company is working on a solution.

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