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Building Strong® at Wahkiakum Ferry Channel

Wahkiakum FerryThe Wahkiakum Ferry Channel is authorized to 9 feet deep and 200 feet wide, from the ferry berth at Puget Island, Wash., to deep water in the Columbia River. The project is located across from Westport Slough channel in Oregon.

 

The navigation channel supports the Wahkiakum Ferry, which provides interstate transportation to the entire Lower Columbia region. The ferry runs between Cathlamet, Wash. and Westport, Ore., carrying more than 50,000 vehicles each year.

 

In addition to being the most energy efficient local travel option, it also provides a critical alternative route for interstate traffic when the nearest bridges (26 miles upstream or 43 miles downstream) or highways are closed by weather, traffic accidents, or other causes.

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Phone: 503-808-4510

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Operations: Wahkiakum Ferry Channel

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Expand List item 11310Collapse List item 11310  General information

The vertical plane of reference is adopted low water. The project is subject to tidal influences and annual river freshets. Shoaling generally moves into the ferry channel from upstream and dredging by a clamshell contract dredge is required every 2-to-3 years to maintain authorized depth. 

Limited advanced maintenance width dredging outside the authorized channel width and up to 2 feet of advanced maintenance dredging below the authorized channel depth is practiced in order to maintain adequate depth for the ferry between dredging events.

Expand List item 11312Collapse List item 11312  Project description
The authorized channel is 9 feet deep and 200 feet wide, from the ferry berth at Puget Island, Wash., to deep water in the Columbia River at River Mile 43.
Expand List item 11311Collapse List item 11311  Authorization
Section 107 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1960 provides authority for the Corps of Engineers to develop and construct small navigation projects. This project was authorized under Section 107 and approved in September 1993.

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