Idaho Falls, Idaho – Access across eastern Idaho's Palisades Dam to the Calamity and Bear Creek areas has been closed to most motorized traffic, according to Palisades District Ranger Tracy Hollingshead.

This past summer a new Palisades Bridge was completed by the Bureau of Reclamation.  The Bonneville County Road and Bridge Department completed the access road from the Riverside Park campground below the reservoir to the Snake River and Bear Creek roads to provide access to the Calamity and Bear Creek areas.

With construction work completed, winter access across the dam will be closed permanently except for snowmachines and trail grooming equipment. When snow is not present, access via ATV, bicycle, horse and foot traffic will be available.

Forest Service road access is usually closed at this time of year, but the warm fall season has delayed significant snow accumulations. “Currently the new road is wet and muddy,” Hollingshead said. “Users should expect poor road conditions until the road bed becomes snow covered or frozen.”