COLUMBIA & SNAKE RIVERS, Ore. & Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will reopen three navigation locks on the Columbia River ahead of schedule after closing them for annually scheduled maintenance March 7.
Bonneville Dam’s navigation lock at river mile 145, will reopen Thursday, March 19 at 5 p.m. The navigation locks at The Dalles Dam at river mile 191 and John Day Dam at river mile 216, will both reopen Saturday, March 21 at 12 p.m. All three locks were previously scheduled to return to service March 22 at 11:59 p.m.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland and Walla Walla districts closed a total of eight locks on the Columbia-Snake River System for annually scheduled maintenance and repairs.
The reopening dates for the five remaining navigation locks have not changed. McNary Dam at river mile 292 of the Columbia River and Lower Monumental Dam at river mile 41 of the Snake River are still scheduled to return to service March 22 at 11:59 p.m.
The Snake River locks located at Little Goose Dam at river mile 70 and Lower Granite Dam at river mile 107 are still scheduled to return to service March 29 at 11:59 p.m. The lock at Ice Harbor Dam at river mile 10 of the Snake River is still scheduled to return to service April 5 at 11:59 p.m.
The Corps will notify the public if any of the dates listed above change.
In addition, Walla Walla District may temporarily suspend public vehicle crossings at Lower Monumental, Little Goose and/or Lower Granite due to work activity. Crossings are subject to closure at any time, however, the Corps will notify the public in advance of these closures if possible. Travelers in Washington state are strongly encouraged to call 888-DAM-INFO (888-326-4636) for dam-crossing information in advance of their travel.
Recreational vessel owners can find information on boat launches managed by the Walla Walla District at www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation and the Portland District at www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation.
To maintain safe and reliable passage through this valuable navigation system, the Corps coordinates the annually scheduled lock closures with inland shippers and cruise lines to minimize impacts to lock users. For Walla Walla District navigation lock information and public notices, visit www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation. For Portland District navigation lock information, visit www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation and www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices for public notices.
Portland District operates and maintains Bonneville Lock & Dam, The Dalles Lock & Dam and John Day Lock & Dam on the Columbia River. Learn more about Portland District’s lock and dams at www.nwp.usace.army.mil/columbia. Walla Walla District operates and maintains McNary Lock & Dam on the Columbia River and Ice Harbor Lock & Dam, Lower Monumental Lock & Dam, Little Goose Lock & Dam and Lower Granite Lock & Dam on the Snake River. Learn more about Walla Walla District’s lock and dams at www.nww.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Locks-and-Dams.
Together, the Corps’ Portland and Walla Walla districts maintain 465 miles of commercial waterway from the Pacific Ocean to Lewiston, Idaho. The Columbia-Snake inland navigation system provides important benefits to business and the public. Approximately 9 million tons of cargo valued at over $3 billion is barged on the Columbia-Snake river system annually. The navigation system contributes jobs, facilitates import and export trade, and benefits the economy, environment and quality of life in the Pacific Northwest.