More forest roads closed by washouts

PUBLIC LANDS — Getting to where you want to go on public lands this spring has been a problem because of our unusually wet winter and spring, and the problem is getting worse.

The Colville and Idaho Panhandle National Forests have issued more road closure notices this week as crews find more road damage from flood damage. Warmer weather, snowmelt and heavy spring rains also are creating soft road surfaces and spring “break up” conditions.

Turkey hunters and others planning to head out this weekend should make sure their normal access routes are open by checking the forest websites or calling ranger district offices.  State Deparatment of Transportation websites also should be checked for highway blockages such as those near Metaline Falls, Republic and new major washout of US 395 in Ferry County.

Here are the latest announcements regarding roads closed for damage or soft conditions:

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

• Bonners Ferry Ranger District, damaged roads : Trout Creek Road # 634, Myrtle Creek Road # 633 , East Dawson Road # 2429, Katka Face Road # 314, Baldy Road (Dawson Ridge) # 2538 , Twentymile Road # 408. Soft, unsafe conditions: Smith Creek Road # 281 and Tuin Road # 2269.
• Priest Lake damaged roads : Bear Paw Road # 305. Soft, unsafe conditions: Gleason McAbee Road #334/
• Sandpoint Ranger District, soft, unsafe conditions:: Grouse Creek Road #280, Butler Creek Road #230, Little Black Tail Road #630, Trout Creek Road #232 , Pack River Road #231

Colville National Forest

Strong spring runoff and heavy rains have undercut and eroded two national forest roads and made them structurally unsafe and impassible.

• Road 5300-000 (Scatter Creek Road) temporarily closed from the junction of SR 21. Scatter Creek Road provides access to the Swan, Long, Ferry and Fish Lakes area in Ferry County south of Republic, Washington.
• Road 9500-550 (Nancy Creek) temporarily closed at the Forest Service boundary approximately 1.5 miles west of US 395. Nancy Creek Road provides access to Bisbee Mountain and is located approximately 3.5 miles south of Boyds, Washington in Ferry County.