——————————
DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT NEWS RELEASE
——————————
Jones Hole Creek in Dinosaur National Monument Closed to Recreational Access
Dinosaur, Colorado & Jensen, Utah – Due to a recent septic line break at the Jones Hole Fish Hatchery managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Jones Hole Creek in Dinosaur National Monument is closed to recreational activity, including fishing and swimming, from the National Park Service/US Fish & Wildlife Service boundary to the Green River.
Monument staff were notified of the discharge at approximately 4:30 pm on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. The leak has increased fecal coliform levels at the discharge site to >2419.6 MPN/100 mL. Utah Department of Environmental Health and Quality posts advisories on public recreation waters when the total or fecal coliform bacteria (E. coli) levels exceed 400 MPN/100 mL. Under advisement from the U.S. Public Health Service, all waters of Jones Hole Creek have been closed to recreational activities until further notice. Monument staff have installed temporary signs informing visitors of the closure of Jones Hole Creek.
Monument staff are conducting monitoring of stream waters within the monument boundaries below the fish hatchery to determine if the creek was contaminated and if so, to what extent. If tests reveal the levels to be below the recommended levels, the waters will be reopened to recreational access.
The fish hatchery has implemented a temporary closure of the facility and parking area. This closure will prevent visitors from accessing the trailhead at the fish hatchery for the Jones Hole and Island Park trails. Please see the USFWS press release for further details. (USFWS Press Release attached to this email for convenience.)
The Jones Hole Trail is a popular hiking trail that connects the Jones Hole Fish Hatchery with the Green River. It is approximately 4.25 miles one way. Jones Hole Creek is very popular with anglers.
The Quarry Visitor Center and Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall in Utah are not affected by this closure. They remain open to the public on their normal schedule.
For more information on Dinosaur National Monument, call us at (435) 781-7700. You can also visit us on the web at www.nps.gov/dino or follow DinosaurNPS on social media.