Portland District News Releases

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.

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.

EPA adds Bradford Island to the Superfund list

Press Operations — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 20:31:00 GMT

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adds a portion of Bradford Island, which lies within the Bonneville Lock & Dam complex and is operated by Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to the National Priorities List.

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.

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.

Corps announces summer recreational lock schedule

Press Operations — Fri, 14 May 2021 17:03:18 GMT

Motorized recreational boaters needing to pass through the three lower Columbia River dams must follow a lock schedule taking effect May 15. Commercial vessels will continue to lock through upon arrival except during the times specified for recreational vessels.

Columbia and Snake river navigation locks will close March 6 for annual maintenance

Press Operations — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 17:06:07 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland and Walla Walla districts will close all Corps navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake rivers March 6 at 6 a.m. for regularly-scheduled annual inspections, preventative maintenance and repairs.

Corps, ODFW temporarily extend agreements for hatchery operations

Press Operations — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 14:33:08 GMT

Contract negotiations for hatchery operations in Oregon are going into overtime. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will extend its cooperative agreements with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) for up to 120 days, as the agencies continue negotiating contracts for the Corps’ fish hatchery services in the Columbia, Willamette and Rogue river basins. The current agreements, entered into in 2012, expire June 30, 2017.

Geology Day at Bonneville Lock and Dam

Press Operations — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:28:00 GMT

Bonneville Lock and Dam will host its annual Geology Day event at the Washington Shore Visitor Complex on Thursday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Great Electrifying Event lights up Bonneville Lock & Dam

Press Operations — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 21:00:00 GMT

Bonneville Lock and Dam is hosting its annual Great Electrifying Event, a full day of hands-on activities, videos and tours April 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Washington Shore Visitor Center.

Summer Recreational Vessel Lockage Schedule Begins May 15

Press Operations — Thu, 12 May 2016 21:53:00 GMT

May 15 marks the start of the summer schedule for recreational boaters using navigation locks to travel past U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Great Electrifying Event lights up Bonneville Lock and Dam

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 21:21:00 GMT

Bonneville Lock and Dam's annual Great Electrifying Event shows how the dam keeps the Northwest powered up. Hands on activities and videos demonstrate the basics of electricity and how it's made, while powerhouse tours give an up close look at Bonneville's hydropower generators. This free event is great for kids and adults.

Enjoy winter recreation at Bonneville Dam

Press Operations — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 16:30:35 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to enjoy some great winter recreation opportunities for you and your family at Bonneville Lock and Dam.

Corps announces Columbia River winter recreational vessel lockage schedule

Press Operations — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 22:33:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins its winter recreational vessel lock schedule for its Columbia River dams Sept. 15.

Bonneville Dam rocks on with Geology Day May 23

Press Operations — Wed, 20 May 2015 23:13:20 GMT

Bonneville Lock and Dam invites future geologists and their families to Geology Day, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bradford Island Visitor Center.

A Season to Celebrate: 2014 Salmon Returns Break Multiple Modern-Day Records

Press Operations — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 17:01:32 GMT

The region’s iconic salmon shattered modern-day records this year, returning to the Columbia River Basin in the highest numbers since fish counting began at Bonneville Dam more than 75 years ago.

Bonneville Lock and Dam navlock visitor center closes July 28

Press Operations — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 17:27:00 GMT

Bonneville Lock and Dam’s Navigation Lock Visitor Center will close July 28 due to construction at the navigation lock; it isn't expected to re-open during the 2014 recreation season.

Columbia-Snake River navigation locks close for annual maintenance in March

Press Operations — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 21:41:00 GMT

Eight navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake rivers close to all river traffic at 6 a.m. Sat., March 1, 2014; scheduled re-opening is planned for March 15 for Columbia River locks and March 22 for Snake River locks.