20-060 Lower Snake River Dams closed for public dam crossing on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day

Published Dec. 16, 2020

LOWER SNAKE RIVER, Wash. – All three dams on the lower Snake River in Washington that allow public vehicle crossings -- Lower Granite Lock and Dam, near Pomeroy; Little Goose Lock and Dam, near Starbuck; and Lower Monumental Lock and Dam, near Kahlotus -- will be closed to public access for crossing for the holidays.

Lower Granite will be closed for public crossing on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Little Goose and Lower Monumental, which are only open to public crossing Monday through Thursday, will be closed for public crossing Dec. 23 and 24, as well as Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Non-holiday crossing schedules for dams in the Walla Walla District are as follows:

Lower Granite Lock and Dam – open for crossings from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except for federal holidays unless otherwise announced. Tour and school buses must contact the dam at 509-843-1493 at least 24 hours in advance for crossing authorization.

Little Goose Lock and Dam – open for crossings once an hour, on the half-hour, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and closed on federal holidays unless otherwise announced. Crossing times are 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning, and 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. Tour and school buses must contact the dam at 509-399-2233, extensions 227, 231 or 253, at least 24 hours in advance for crossing authorization.

Lower Monumental Lock and Dam – open for crossings once an hour, on the half-hour, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and closed on federal holidays unless otherwise announced. Crossing times are 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning, and 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. If approaching from the south shore, travelers can reach the security guard for crossing escort by calling 7228 on the phone at south gate. Tour and school buses must contact the dam 24 hours in advance for authorization 509-282-3218.

At all three dams, passenger cars, motorcycles, open trucks, recreation vehicles, small vans and farm equipment, with the exception of fuel trucks, will be allowed to cross. Large commercial vehicles, trucks, vehicles hauling flammable or explosive cargo, vehicles with external tanks and vehicles that cannot be easily searched will not be allowed to cross the dams. All vehicles crossing Corps dams are subject to a search. Photo identification is required for all vehicle occupants 18 years of age and older. Security guards are authorized to perform detailed vehicle searches and deny vehicle access across the dam. Drivers may not stop their vehicles to take pictures or sight see during crossings. Pedestrian traffic across the dam is not allowed because of safety considerations.

Operations officials note there could still be closures. The district may, at any time, close access to traffic for extended periods of time due to operations, maintenance or construction-related activities at a dam. A change in security conditions could also terminate public access across the dam until such time as threat levels decrease. The public will be notified about closures, if possible, in advance, but the crossing is still subject to closing at any time.

Recreation areas and boat launches will remain open for visitors.


Contact
CENWW-PA
509-527-7020
cenww-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20-131