Rising water levels have cut off the only vehicle access to one of the region’s most popular wildlife areas, forcing a closure that could stretch into a busy spring hunting season.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced Thursday that Carncross Road in the town of Savannah is closed due to flooding near the Seneca River bridge at the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area in Wayne County.
Officials said ongoing precipitation across the watershed pushed water levels to flood stage, making the road unsafe for vehicle traffic. Carncross Road serves as the only road access point to the Howland Island Unit, a heavily used destination for outdoor recreation.
While vehicle access is blocked, the DEC said visitors can still reach Howland Island by boat. Hand launches are available near the Carncross Road bridge and at the Northern Montezuma field office on Morgan Road. Boaters with trailers are directed to the Seneca River boat launch along Route 38 in the town of Conquest.
Authorities also reminded the public that a separate bridge connecting Howland Island Road in the village of Port Byron remains closed to all traffic, including pedestrians.
The closure is expected to last at least into the spring turkey hunting season, though no reopening timeline has been set.
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