Officials take notice of visitors flocking to Kootenai Falls
The Kootenai Falls swinging bridge received a much-needed makeover in 2019. First built in the 1930s to help fight forest fires, the bridge has since become a major tourist attraction in Lincoln County. The U.S. Forest Service and Kootenai National Forest oversaw the project. (File photo)
U.S. Forest Service officials plan to open discussions with the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners over how best to handle the growing popularity of the Kootenai Falls area.
“As you guys know, it’s been full on pretty much since late March,” said Chad Benson, Kootenai National Forest supervisor, at an Aug. 4 commissioners meeting.
His remarks came during a regularly scheduled briefing with the local elected officials. While much of Benson’s appearance centered around ongoing efforts to fight wildfires, he also brought up the possibility of future changes at the Kootenai Falls.
At least one vehicle wreck has occurred near the parking lot for the tourist attraction this summer and “nearly every time I drive by in the afternoon you could get into an incident,” Benson said.
County Commissioner Brent Teske (D-1) echoed Benson’s observation, saying that local emergency responders had seen a “huge increase” in medical calls at the suspension bridge.
Benson indicated he expected the popularity of the falls and adjoining bridge to at least hold steady. Modifications to support that level of use would be discussed with county officials, he said.
“There is something we probably need to work with the county on, something more accommodating for 1,000 people a day,” he said.