1 Feb 2024

Columbia River locks shut down for annual maintenance

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.

5 Aug 2022

Commerce flows normally after Army engineers repair John Day Lock

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.

27 May 2021

Recent changes restrict primitive camping along Columbia River

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.

11 Dec 2020

John Day Dam Oil Leak Spills into Columbia River

Maintenance technicians at John Day Dam estimated 63 gallons of oil spilled into the Columbia River from a pinhole leak in a turbine guide bearing chiller uncovered on Monday, Dec. 7.

1 Jun 2020

Windstorm damage forces Corps to close John Day recreation sites

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed some facilities at three John Day Lock & Dam recreation sites due to a severe storm that caused extensive damage Saturday.

18 Mar 2020

Columbia River navigation locks will reopen ahead of schedule after closing for annual maintenance

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will reopen three navigation locks on the Columbia River ahead of schedule after closing them for annual maintenance March 7.

19 Mar 2017

John Day Dam’s navigation lock reopens to river traffic; other locks still on track with previously announced schedules

The navigation lock at John Day Dam, near Rufus, Oregon, reopened to river traffic late Saturday night, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials in the Portland District announced.

14 Sep 2016

‘On-request’ recreational lockage service begins Sept. 16 for boaters on Snake, Columbia rivers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins its winter recreational vessel lock schedule Sept. 16. Recreational boaters may lock past dams on the lower Snake and Columbia rivers almost any time during daylight hours.

12 May 2016

Summer Recreational Vessel Lockage Schedule Begins May 15

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.

1 Mar 2013

Low water levels near John Day Dam expected in early March

Water levels upstream of the John Day Dam are expected to be lower than normal between March 1 and March 8, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced.