Dworshak fishing access improvements start Monday

Fishing enthusiasts who plan on going after steelhead or other sport fish at the fishing wall near the base of Dworshak Dam will soon have easier access to the water.

Construction is set to begin Monday, Oct. 31, on a set of stairs leading from the roadside fishing wall near the powerhouse gate down about 40 to 50 feet alongside the wall to concrete platforms that will be installed atop the rocks at the water level of the North Fork of the Clearwater River. The steps and platforms will provide safer access to fishing locations and to net fish that were hooked by fishermen standing above on the wall.

The work must be completed during periods of low-river elevations since most of the work must be performed out of the water. Unfortunately, this coincides with fall Idaho steelhead fishing season. The project area where the stairs will be installed will be closed to the public during construction and will reopen around the end of January, or as soon as possible after completion of the work. Local notices will be posted in the parking area outside the Dworshak Dam gate.

"It is essential we continue to implement improvements at Dworshak that benefit sportsmen and the economics of Clearwater County," said Senator Mike Crapo. "We are moving forward aggressively and I appreciate the partnership of the Army Corps regarding these improvements in fishing access, as well as recreational opportunities."

Tectum Corporation from Spokane, Wash., will perform the work on this contract valued at $183,080.

For more information about this project, contact Natural Resources Manager Paul Pence at (208) 476-1258 or the visitor center at (208) 476-1261.