Portland District News Releases

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.

The Dalles Dam Hosts 14th Annual Eagle Watch

Press Operations — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 17:49:48 GMT

The Dalles Dam invites the public to their 14th annual Eagle Watch event on Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the month of January, The Dalles Dam Visitor Center will be open every Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (subject to weather.)

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.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center hosts 13th annual Eagle Watch

Press Operations — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 21:09:13 GMT

The eagles have landed! Join Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) park rangers at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center Jan. 21, 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.

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.

Hydropower offers stability during heat waves

Press Operations — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 22:22:00 GMT

Hydropower dams do not produce emissions like fossil-fuel burning resources, making the Northwest’s power system the cleanest in the nation. Dams can also ramp up and down within minutes or seconds, making them very nimble and flexible during heat waves and cold snaps.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center reopens for summer season

Press Operations — Fri, 27 May 2022 18:48:51 GMT

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center reopened to the public May 27. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, through the end of August.

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.

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.

Out-of-season outage closes The Dalles Dam navigation lock

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 15:02:44 GMT

An out-of-season outage will close The Dalles Dam’s navigation lock, Sept. 14-15, 2021. A specialized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rope-access (climbing) inspection team will be performing an assessment, which is part of a required five-year cycle.

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.

Recent changes restrict primitive camping along Columbia River

Press Operations — Thu, 27 May 2021 19:11:37 GMT

Some campers may be surprised by recent closures and changes to primitive camping near The Dalles and John Day dams along the Columbia River, that began November 1, 2020. These include a transition from primitive camping to day-use only in some areas, and a maximum of seven days of primitive camping within a 30-day consecutive period at all areas.

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.

Unexpected damage extends navigation lock outage at The Dalles Dam

Press Operations — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 14:50:00 GMT

Technicians inspecting the navigation lock at The Dalles Dam found cracking in the downstream miter gate during an annual inspection March 10. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials believe vibration, improper sealing and gate misalignment likely caused the damage.

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.