Navigation

Our first mission, eliminating impediments to navigation on the Pacific Northwest's rivers, dates back to 1871. We maintain safe and reliable channels, harbors and waterways for the transportation of commerce, support to national security and recreation.

Check the weather

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 Before setting out, obtain the latest marine forecast and warning information at www.weather.gov/marine

Before you go out on the water, get the forecast and don a life vest. Click here for the YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKR9Vk5lftc&feature=youtu.be This video outlines the importance of accurate and up-to-date marine weather forecasts before venturing out.

Understanding marine forecasts is critical to safe boating. Weather and wave conditions can change suddenly, catching boaters off-guard and creating life-threatening conditions. Before setting out, obtain the latest marine forecast and warning information from www.weather.gov/marine or NOAA Weather Radio. Begin listening for extended outlooks with general information for the next five days, offered in both graphical and text formats.

Fast facts about Portland District navigation

Waterways

  • We manage 485 navigable river miles in the Columbia River Basin

Locks 

  • We operate and maintain three of Northwestern Division's 10 locks
  • Our locks pass 10 of the 50.5 million tons of commerce shipped annually

Ports and harbors

  • 10 deep draft (greater than 14 ft.) ports
  • 12 shallow draft harbors
  • 12 large-scale jetty systems 

Dredging

  • Two hopper dredges: Yaquina and Essayons
  • Material dredged: 18.9 million cubic yards 

Hazards to navigation

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard have authority to remove hazards to navigation from the waterways of the United States. 
 Program overview
Generally, the U.S.Coast Guard is the primary agency to identify and remove a hazard to navigation; however, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may be asked for assistance. Either USCG or USACE may remove hazards at the owner's expense. Local port districts, city, county and state agencies may also take legal action against an owner for removing a hazard to navigation within their jurisdictions.
 Authority

Authority for removal of hazards to navigation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is referenced in Sections 15-20 of the River and Harbor Act of 1899.
Guidelines for coordination, removal of hazards to navigation, and cost recovery between the United States Coast Guard and the United States Army Corps of Engineers are found in the following:

 

 Contact us about the Hazards to Navigation program

Send an email with the subject "Hazards to Navigation," your questions or comments, and your preferred contact information to Hazards to Navigation Coordinator at:

DLL-CENWPHazardstoNavigation@usace.army.mil

Using our navigation locks

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 Winter recreational vessel lockage:
Bonneville, The Dalles & John Day • Sept. 15 - May 14

Winter recreational lockage will be made during daylight hours only, on request, at each of the Portland District locks beginning September 15, 2022 and continuing through May 14, 2023.

FACILITY LOCATION PHONE
Bonneville Lock & Dam Columbia River Mile 145 541-374-8323
The Dalles Lock & Dam Columbia River Mile 191 541-506-8212
John Day Lock & Dam Columbia River Mile 216 541-298-9712

 

Before and after the annual navigation lock outage, commercial vessels will have lockage priority over recreational vessels. At the discretion of the lock operator, recreational vessels may be allowed to lock through with commercial vessels.

Portland District requests that recreational vessels contact the navigation lock control room at least 30 minutes prior to their arrival at the lock. Vessel owner/operators requesting lockage shall contact the lock operator on duty using Marine Channel 14 or commercial telephone. This will allow the control room to prepare for their transit and will provide vessel operators with general timeframes for their lockage.

All vessel owner/operators lock through at their own risk. A personal flotation device is required for every member on board the vessel, thorough out the duration of the lockage. Follow the directions of the lock operator when using the locks or operating in the vicinity of the locks. The lock operator has final authority on the suitability of a craft for lockage. Please refer to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safe Lockage Policy for Recreational Craft on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, published separately, for additional safety requirements.

For additional information on recreational schedules and locking through, call 503-808-5419.

 

How To Lock Through, instructs recreational boaters on using our navigation locks.

 Willamette Falls Locks closed
Willamette Falls Locks are closed to the public since November 2011. Due to concerns about the condition of the gudgeon anchors, or the equipment that helps move and stabilize the lock gates, the Portland District's dam safety officer placed the locks in a non-operational status.