Corps invites public to see LoMo navigation lock

Published Jan. 14, 2011

Corps invites public to see LoMo navigation lock

KAHLOTUS, Wash. – Don’t miss your chance to get an up-close look at Lower Monumental Lock and Dam’s navigation lock during a second “Winter Maintenance Tour” event set for 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26. The first public viewing opportunity occurred on Dec. 14.U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff at the dam invites the public to join them on the top of the dam to see construction progress inside the lock as workers replace the downstream lock gate, repair a portion of the north concrete wall and conduct other maintenance tasks. Lower Monumental’s lock is closed to vessel traffic through March 13 to accommodate this work.
Walla Walla District Corps of Engineers project managers for both jobs – the gate replacement and the concrete repair – will be at the Jan. 26 public event to provide an overview of their projects and answer questions.
Anyone interested in attending should contact the Corps’ Walla Walla District by 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, to R.S.V.P. and receive detailed driving directions to the dam and parking locations, as most parking areas adjacent to the dam are occupied to accommodate on-site construction activities. Visit the District’s website at www.nww.usace.army.mil and click on the event flyer to register by email or call (509) 527-7300 or (509) 527-7700. Be sure to provide the names and contact information (telephone and\or e-mail) of each person for whom you are registering. If severe weather requires the Corps to reschedule this event, contact information provided will used to notify those who registered.
Visitors 18 years and older will need photo identification to enter the dam gate. Visitors will not be allowed to bring in purses, bags, backpacks, cell phones, briefcases and similar items into secure areas of the dam. These items cannot be checked in with the security guards and should be left in visitors’ vehicles. Visitors will be allowed bring cameras – no camera bags –inside the dam gate to take photographs of work being done inside the navigation lock. Visitor access at the dam is subject to change without notice.
Be sure to wear clothing appropriate for a construction work site and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Weather conditions are frequently colder at the river, so visitors should plan to bring appropriate outerwear: coats, hats, gloves, etc.
For more information about the 2010-2011 Columbia-Snake Rivers Extended Navigation Lock Outage, visit the Corps’ joint-district Web page www.nwp.usace.army.mil/navigation/lockoutage.asp. To download photos or presentations about the lock gate replacement at Lower Monumental Dam to go www.nww.usace.army.mil/html/offices/pa/NR/LoMoLockGate/LoMoLockGate.htm . For photos and information about the concrete repair job inside the lock check out www.nww.usace.army.mil/html/offices/pa/NR/LoMoLockConcrete/LoMoLockConcrete.htm.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: News outlets planning to attend should contact the Public Affairs Office, (509) 527-7020 or cenww-pa@usace.army.mil, not later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, to pre-register for PAO-escorted access and clearance of any photographic equipment. Adherence to media ground rules for use of photographic equipment inside access-restricted areas will be required. Requests for interviews with Corps staff during the public event need to be coordinated in advance with PAO.
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Release no. 11-01