16-039 Lower Granite Dam vehicle crossings to be delayed June 20

Published June 16, 2016
POMEROY, Wash. – Public vehicle access across Lower Granite Lock and Dam will be delayed repeatedly for up to two hours on Monday, June 20, between 7 a.m. and noon, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operations officials at the dam.

The crossing delays are necessary to allow installation of research equipment to monitor fish behavior and response to the new forebay adult-fish ladder cooling system.

Completed in February, the Adult Fish Ladder Temperature Improvement System was built in response to unusually hot weather the past several years throughout the Columbia-Snake river basin. Hot weather raised temperatures in the “tailwater” just below Lower Granite Dam in summer to more 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which is above acceptable limits. Hotter water promoted development of a “thermal barrier” in the adult fish ladder, hindering upstream migration of adult salmon and steelhead to their spawning grounds. Sockeye salmon were most affected in summer 2015, though the Corps used temporary pumps to cool the fish ladder in 2014 and 2015. This permanent system will cool fish ladder water starting this summer.

During crossing delays, the Lower Granite Visitor Center and south-shore recreation areas west of the dam on Almota-Ferry Road will remain accessible only from the south riverbank of the lower Snake River. Corps staff and those conducting official business on the north shore can access the dam via the north-shore approach on State Highway 194. The south-shore Visitor Center phone is 509-843-1493, ext. 262.

Lower Granite’s summer crossing hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The summer weekend extended-hours crossing schedule is in effect through Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2016. Dam crossing is subject to closure on federal holidays, however Lower Granite will be open to cross-dam traffic on Independence Day and Labor Day in 2016. Tour and school buses must contact the dam at 509-843-1493 at least 24 hours in advance for crossing authorization, and there may be additional considerations for bus drivers during Lower Granite construction.

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 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. All firearms must be unloaded and declared at the gate. 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 escorted 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. Travelers can call 1-888-DAM-INFO (1-888-326-4636) for the most current dam-crossing information.
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Contact
Public Affairs Office
509-527-7020
cenww-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 16-039