Portland District News Releases

Summer recreational lock schedule now in effect on Columbia River

Press Operations — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:44:21 GMT

Recreational boaters navigating the three lower Columbia River dams—Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day—now have expanded access to pass through the navigation locks for the summer season.

New 20-year plan finalized to manage Columbia River dredged material

Press Operations — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:09:44 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, has finalized a 20-year plan to maintain the lower Columbia River’s deep-draft navigation channel, a critical artery for the nation’s economy.

Public invited to weigh in on proposed renewable fuel facility on Columbia River

Press Operations — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:53:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a proposed renewable diesel facility at Port Westward in Columbia County, Oregon.

Federal review clears navigation improvements near Longview and Kalama

Press Operations — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:19:00 GMT

A federal environmental review has cleared the way for navigation improvements on the lower Columbia River aimed at reducing ship delays and improving safety near the ports of Longview and Kalama, Washington.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center hosts 16th annual Eagle Watch

Press Operations — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 23:48:00 GMT

Join Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) park rangers at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum Jan. 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to catch a glimpse of bald eagles that congregate near the dam every winter in search of food.

Columbia River locks shut down for annual maintenance

Press Operations — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 23:29:00 GMT

The Columbia-Snake River System, a critical trade corridor supporting $24 billion in commerce annually, will pause operations for two weeks beginning March 9, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, conducts its annual navigation lock maintenance.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center hosts 15th annual Eagle Watch

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:47:00 GMT

Join Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) park rangers at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center Jan. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to catch a glimpse of bald eagles that congregate near the dam every winter in search of food.

Columbia River locks shut down for annual maintenance

Press Operations — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 19:06:00 GMT

The $23 billion of commerce that flows along the Columbia River will pause for two weeks beginning March 2 as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District closes three navigation locks for annual inspections and maintenance.

Summer recreational lock schedule now in effect on Columbia River

Press Operations — Wed, 17 May 2023 16:52:00 GMT

Recreational boaters passing through the three lower Columbia River dams must follow a summer locking schedule through Sept. 14. Commercial vessels will continue to lock through upon arrival except during the times specified for recreational vessels.

Winter recreational lock schedule begins Sept. 15 on Lower Columbia

Press Operations — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 16:55:00 GMT

Motorized recreational boaters who need to pass through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps’) three lower Columbia River dams must do so during daylight hours only, upon request, Sept. 15 through May 14, 2023.

Port managers, Army engineers agree to $2.1 million study

Press Operations — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 22:50:51 GMT

Leadership from the Ports of Longview and Kalama, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have agreed to fund an estimated $2.1 million study. The study will investigate what changes or improvements engineers can make to turning basins in the Columbia River to help larger, deeper-drafting vessels, safely navigate when turning.

Commerce flows normally after Army engineers repair John Day Lock

Press Operations — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 20:51:49 GMT

Commerce is now moving normally along the Columbia River and through John Day Lock after Army engineers completed repairs to damaged guide wheels by 12:30 p.m., August 5. Technicians originally discovered damage to a lower guide wheel on July 25, which initially closed the lock, and then slowed traffic at that point in the river.

Heat wave fuels needless drownings, boating deaths in Oregon

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:21:44 GMT

Drownings and boating-related deaths needlessly continue claiming lives in Oregon, recently fueled by a heat wave. The Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) reported 19 boating-related fatalities in 2021 and the Oregon Health Authority recorded 57 drownings in natural waters in 2020, which is 160% increase from 2019 (35 drownings). Life jackets may have prevented many of these deaths.

Corps updates Safe Lockage Policy for recreational vessels on Columbia, Snake rivers

Press Operations — Fri, 27 May 2022 15:16:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has put the following guidelines in place for the continued safe passage of recreational craft through the navigation locks at McNary, John Day, The Dalles, and Bonneville dams on the Columbia River, and Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams on the Snake River:

Corps’ summer recreational lock schedule to take effect May 15

Press Operations — Wed, 11 May 2022 18:27:00 GMT

Motorized recreational boaters who need to pass through the three lower Columbia River dams must follow a lock schedule taking effect May 15.

Corps, sponsor ports host open houses on 20-year dredged material placement plan

Press Operations — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 21:54:00 GMT

Army planners and Columbia River sponsor ports are hosting five virtual information sessions April 26-28 to update the public on their 20-year plan for managing dredged material from the Lower Columbia River.

Columbia River commerce halts for extended period for annual outage

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 16:52:00 GMT

Commerce moving up and down the Columbia River, which is a $23 billion industry, will be at a stand-still for up to five weeks beginning Feb. 13. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) closes its navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake river dams on an annual basis for maintenance and repairs; however, this year the Corps is extending the closure an extra three weeks – in part – to repair the downstream miter gate at The Dalles.

Be free as a bird during 12th annual Eagle Watch

Press Operations — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:05:59 GMT

Take someone under your wing and bring them out to the 12th annual Eagle Watch at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, January 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is eager to host Eagle Watch in-person, as last year’s event was virtual.

Winter recreational lock schedule begins September 30 on Lower Columbia

Press Operations — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 16:02:57 GMT

Motorized recreational boaters needing to pass through the three lower Columbia River dams need to do so during daylight hours only, on request, starting September 30, 2021 through May 15, 2022.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center reopens for summer after extended closure

Press Operations — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 16:13:02 GMT

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center reopened to the public, June 4th, 2021 with capacity limits, face covering requirements, physical distancing, and extra cleaning. Visitor Center operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday through the end of August.