STARBUCK, Wash. – Outdoors enthusiasts can enjoy spring at recreation facilities on Lake West managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Corps recreation planners invite the public to "play it safe" while having some warm-weather fun. Although above-water temperatures are becoming warmer, springtime water temperatures can be cold enough to cause swimmers to develop hypothermia – a severe lowering of core body temperature. State boating, hunting and fishing regulations apply to visitors at Corps sites. Hunting is allowed in designated areas only. Boaters should ensure personal floatation devices (PFDs) are on board for each person – children 12 and younger are required to wear PFDs when in a boat less than 19 feet long. Recreation information is available on our website: www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors.
Visitors may see changes in services and operating seasons at some parks as a result of the Walla Walla District experiencing an approximately nine-percent or $669,000 decrease in its recreation budget, previously announced in September 2011. To help keep parks open to the public, district natural resources management staff welcome local volunteers and organizations to assist with maintenance and other chores at Corps-operated recreation facilities.
Volunteers are a key factor in keeping recreation facilities clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy, according to Corps of Engineers natural resources management staff. Individuals or organizations interested in volunteering at other Corps-operated recreation sites throughout the Walla Walla District may contact Natural Resources Management at 509-527-7139 or e-mail VolunteerCOEWalla@usace.army.mil.
Contact information for parks below unless stated otherwise: Ice Harbor Natural Resources Management. Telephone: 509-547-2048. Email: IceHarborParks&Recreation@usace.army.mil. If wanting to reserve a campsite go online to www.recreation.gov. For non-reservable sites (first-come, first-served), stop at the campground gatehouse
Lower Monumental Lock and Dam – For dam-crossing information, call 1-888-DAM-INFO (326-4636). Facilities: day-use, boat dock – Open year-round, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Getting there: travel 41.5 miles northeast of Pasco, Wash., on Pasco-Kahlotus Road to Kahlotus, Wash., then 6 miles south on Devil's Canyon Road; located at Snake River Mile 42. (or take P-K Highway to Burr Canyon Road, 9 miles to the dam).
Devils Bench – Open year-round. Facilities: vault toilet, day-use, fishing, boat ramp, primitive camping. Getting there: travel 6 miles south of Kahlotus, Wash., on Devil's Canyon Road; located at Snake River Mile 42, on the north riverbank of Lake West.
Ayer Boat Basin – Open year-round. Facilities: vault toilet, day-use, picnicking, fishing, hunting, boat ramp, primitive camping. Getting there: travel 26 miles east of Burbank, Wash., on Highway 124, then 24 miles north. Left on Lyons Ferry Road through Clyde and take Pleasant View to Ayer; located at Snake River Mile 51, on the south riverbank.
Skookum Habitat Management Unit – Open year-round. Facilities: fishing, hunting, courtesy dock, hiking, bird watching and wildlife viewing. Getting there: located at river mile 48, on the north riverbank, boat access only from Devils Bench or Lyons Ferry Marina boats ramps.
55 Mile Habitat Management Unit – Open year-round. Facilities: fishing, hunting, courtesy dock, hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. Getting there: located at river mile 55, on the north riverbank, boat access only from Devils Bench or Lyons Ferry Marina boats ramps.
Contact information for parks below unless stated otherwise: Lower Granite Natural Resources Management. Telephone: 509-751-0240. Email: ClarkstonNaturalResources@usace.army.mil .
Lyons Ferry Marina (operated by Columbia County, contact managers at 509-399-8020) – Open year-round; call for current hours of operation. Facilities: camping, day-use, restaurant, store, boat ramp, marina (moorage, fuel and propane). Getting there: travel 7 miles northwest of Starbuck, Wash., on Highway 261; located at Snake River Mile 59, on the south riverbank.
Lyons Ferry Park – Day use/ picnicking and swim beach sections of the park will open to the public starting May 1. The campground and boat ramp sections of the park will likely remain closed this year. Park is being kept open through the efforts of local volunteers. For information on how to volunteer and help keep this great park open, please call 509-399-2010, extension 262. Getting there: on Highway 261, travel 7 miles northwest of Starbuck, Wash.
Texas Rapids – Open year-round. Facilities: day-use, primitive camping and boat ramp with launching dock and mooring dock. Wood fires prohibited June 10 through Oct. 10. Getting there: travel 7 miles northeast of Starbuck, Wash., on Little Goose Dam Road, located 2 miles west of Little Goose Dam; located at Snake River Mile 66, on the south riverbank.
Riparia – Open year-round. Facilities: day-use, semi-primitive camping. Wood fires prohibited June 10 through Oct. 10. Getting there: travel 14 miles southwest of Hay, Wash., on Little Goose Dam Road; located at Snake River Mile 67, on the north riverbank.
A list of Walla Walla District recreation sites is online at www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors/parkslist.htm.
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