Suspected Pipe Bomb Found in Jefferson River Near Three Forks

According to a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, a suspected explosive device was found at Williams’ Bridge Fishing Access Site along the Jefferson River on Saturday evening. The bridge is near the area where Rockin' the Rivers and Headwaters Country Jam are held each year.

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel were conducting training at the site on Saturday when they found what appeared to be a pipe bomb in the river. The Williams’ Bridge Fishing Access Site and Sappington Bridge Fishing Access Site were closed while game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks completed the investigation.

Explosive ordinance disposal technicians from Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana travelled to the site and detonated the device Sunday morning. Williams’ Bridge and Sappington Bridge fishing access sites were reopened to the public later on Sunday morning.

The investigation is being handled by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office and is still ongoing.

We’re grateful to Gallatin County and Malmstrom Air Force Base personnel for their collaborative response in this situation. Thanks to these efforts, we were able to safely reopen these sites to the public. This is also a good reminder to use caution and carefully inspect items we would normally think of as litter before picking them up.

said FWP Warden Captain Adam Pankratz.

If you or someone you know have any information that may be useful or helpful in the investigation, please contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office at 406-582-2100.