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

PORTLAND, Ore. – 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.

The change from scheduled recreational to “on-request” lockages occurs seasonally to accommodate changing volumes of river traffic, according to Corps navigation officials.

During the winter lockage season, which continues through May 14, 2018, recreational vessels may lock through only during daylight hours at Walla Walla and Portland district navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake rivers at these locations:

Commercial vessels continue to have lockage precedence over recreational vessels. Recreational vessels may be allowed to lock through with commercial vessels at the discretion of the lock operator.

If you are locking through with a recreational vessel, please contact the navigation lock control room by Marine Channel 14 or commercial telephone at least 30 minutes prior to your arrival. This will allow the control room to prepare for your transit and will provide you with a general time frame for your lockage. Control room call signs are listed above.

All vessel owner/operators lock through at their own risk. Everyone in the vessel must wear a personal flotation device during lockage. Boaters must follow the directions of the lock operator when using the locks or operating in the vicinity of the locks. The lock operator has final authority regarding the suitability of a craft for lockage.

Boaters should refer to navigation notices, How to Lock Through instructions and other district-level navigation information online at the Portland District and Walla Walla District websites, respectively.