North Dakota – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has announced the implementation of an idle speed only and navigational safety zone on the Missouri River near Bismarck-Mandan due to ongoing bridge construction.
Acting under the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard, the department created the zone to ensure the safety of boaters and construction crews during the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad bridge project.
The new safety zone, effective during the open water season, will require watercraft to reduce speed to idle levels when passing through the designated construction area. Boaters will be guided through the area by green and red floating buoys that mark the temporary navigation channel.
In addition to the channel markers, the perimeter of the project will be enclosed by various types of lighted floating buoys. These begin on the west bank, north of the staging site, and extend to the east bank, then follow the shoreline south approximately 1,500 feet before looping back across the river to the west bank. “No Boats” buoys, equipped with yellow flashing lights for night visibility, will clearly indicate restricted zones near the construction barges.
White light buoys labeled “Idle Speed Only” are placed at key entry points to the zone to signal where speed restrictions begin. These restrictions will be enforced at all times—day and night.
To further ensure safety, the Game and Fish Department recommends that individuals using paddlecraft, such as canoes and kayaks, plan to exit the river either upstream or downstream of the construction zone to avoid navigating through the active work area.
Violating any of the posted regulatory buoy markers is considered a citable offense under North Dakota Administrative Code and may result in fines.
These precautions are aimed at protecting river users and maintaining safe passage while construction progresses through the summer months.
