Wildlife experts in Montana are planning to conduct additional tests on the Yellowstone River and its tributaries to find out just how much of the environment has been affected by the recent massive fish kill.

The Montana state government decided to close down a 183-mile stretch of Yellowstone River indefinitely on Friday, Aug. 19, after a parasite in the water caused fish to suddenly die off by the thousands and wash up along its riverbanks north of Yellowstone National Park.

According to experts, they are still trying to find out whether the parasite infestation has also affected other parts of Yellowstone River downstream as well as its primary tributaries. The state's Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWS) department has also closed the river's tributaries while biologists continue their investigations regarding the incident.

Andrea Jones, a spokeswoman for the Montana FWS, said that throughout this week, technicians will collect fish samples from the Springdale area and three of the Yellowstone's tributary rivers — Boulder, Shields and Stillwater. The agency expects to receive the results of the lab tests within the next few days.

The culprit behind the massive fish kill is a parasite known to cause a development of proliferative kidney disease in infected animals. Officials believe that the recent increase in Yellowstone's water temperatures combined with low river levels likely made fish populations weaker and more vulnerable to dying.

Impact Of Yellowstone River's Closure

The state's decision to close Yellowstone is expected to deal a major blow to local businesses that depend on the river for much of their outdoor activities for tourists.

Officials, however, stressed that they need to keep the river closed in order to prevent the parasite responsible for the fish kill from reaching other waterways in the region. Yellowstone River could remain closed for the next few weeks or even months.

While the state government recognizes that it would be next to impossible to prevent all access to the river, it has called on the public to help in its efforts to contain the infestation by complying with its order.

Yellowstone National Park is not subject to the state government's order.

Livingston Chamber of Commerce executive director Leslie Feigel pointed out that the closure of Yellowstone River is going to force a change of plans for many of the independent outfitters that rely on the river for trout fishery.

While some outfitters can secure permits to relocate their business to other rivers, Feigel said others won't be able to do so.

She added that if the massive fish kill came in June, it would have had far worse consequences.

Photo: Yellowstone National Park | Flickr