Breaking News: Yellowstone River shut down

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks this morning closed the Yellowstone River in response to the ongoing fish kill that is now affecting rainbow and cutthroat trout, in addition to thousands of Mountain Whitefish this past week.
The river, as well as the tributary Stillwater River, are closed from Gardiner to the HIghway 212 bridge at Laurel, according to an FWP press release.
Calling the fish kill "ongoing and unprecedented," more than 2,000 whitefish have been found dead during the past week and FWP estimates that number will rise to the "tens of thousands," according to the press release.
Proliferative Kidney Disease has been determined to be the cause of the kill – one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout, according to FWP. The disease is caused by a microscopic parasite and has been documented previously in only two isolated locations in Montana during the past two decades. It does not pose a risk to humans.
There have been recent outbreaks in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In trout, research has shown this disease to have the potential to cause 20 to 100 percent mortality.
"This action is necessary to protect the fishery and the economy it sustains. The closure will also help limit the spread of the parasite to adjacent rivers through boats, tubes, waders and other human contact and minimize further mortality in all fish species,"FWP wrote in the press release.
The effect of the disease on Yellowstone’s fish populations is enhanced by other factors such as low flows, high temperatures and disturbance caused by recreational activities.
FWP Director Jeff Hagener says in coming to the decision, the Department had to weigh the totality of the circumstances and risk to the fishery.
“We recognize that this decision will have a significant impact on many people. However, we must act to protect this public’s resource for present and future generations,” said Hagener in the release.