Walla Walla District News Releases

Wildland Fires Impact Snake River Habitat Management Units ahead of Fall Hunting Season

Press Operations — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:47:00 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Recent wildland fires have damaged several Habitat Management Units along the Snake River managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District.

Play safe at Illia Dunes and Granite Point: Quick rules for your next visit

Press Operations — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:05:00 GMT

POMEROY, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District reminds visitors at Illia Dunes and Granite Point of posted rules and to recreate responsibly during the busy end-of-summer season.

Yakima Delta Habitat Management Unit closure extended through Aug. 21

Press Operations — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:52:00 GMT

RICHLAND, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has extended the temporary closure of the Columbia Park Trail parking lot and surrounding habitat at the Yakima Delta Habitat Management Unit through Aug. 21 for the ongoing Amon Creek restoration project.

USACE temporarily closes recreation areas, habitat management units in response to area wildfires

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:30:11 GMT

STARBUCK, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District has temporarily closed several recreation areas and habitat management units near Little Goose Lock and Dam because of active wildfires in the region.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin seasonal Lucky Peak Reservoir drawdown on Aug. 10

Press Operations — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:06:41 GMT

BOISE, Idaho – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, in coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation, will begin the seasonal drawdown of Lucky Peak Reservoir on Monday, Aug. 10, in preparation for fall and winter operations.

Goats return to Mill Creek for levee management

Press Operations — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:42:36 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Walla Walla District will use a herd of goats and sheep to remove weeds and other vegetation along the levees bordering the shoreline from the Mill Creek Diversion Dam downstream to the metal footbridge near the Mill Creek Office.

Yakima Delta Habitat Management Unit to temporarily close for Amon Creek restoration

Press Operations — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:22:00 GMT

RICHLAND, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has temporarily closed the Columbia Park Trail parking lot and surrounding habitat area at the Yakima Delta Habitat Management Unit from Aug. 4 to 14 to accommodate the start of a major ecosystem restoration project.

Dworshak Dam to increase flows to support temperature stabilization

Press Operations — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:50:59 GMT

AHSAHKA, Idaho – Dworshak Dam water releases will gradually increase starting tonight, rising from approximately 8,700 cubic feet per second to 13,000 cfs by Friday, August 7.

Mill Creek Fish Ladder Project reaches next milestone toward completion

Press Operations — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:20:28 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Contractors recently completed construction of the upstream northeast and northwest retaining walls at the Mill Creek Fish Ladder Project. These walls will connect to the upstream gate wall and fish ladder exit, expected to be completed by October. The retaining walls will allow the project to enter its next phase without reinstalling a cofferdam during the upcoming high-water season.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin seasonal Lucky Peak Reservoir drawdown

Press Operations — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:21:00 GMT

BOISE, Idaho — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, in coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation, plans to begin gradually lowering the pool elevation of Lucky Peak Reservoir during the week of Aug. 10 as part of normal seasonal water management operations.

Water Follies visitors urged to protect shoreline vegetation

Press Operations — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:14:00 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – As the Tri-Cities prepares for the annual Water Follies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, is reminding visitors that shoreline vegetation along the Columbia River serves an important purpose for fish, wildlife, and the health of our communities and the river ecosystem.

USACE Walla Walla District welcomes new commander

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Lt. Col. Kathryn A. Werback relinquished command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, to Lt. Col. Douglas D. Droesch, during a change of command ceremony held in Walla Walla, Washington, July 15.

USACE urges boating safety near dams

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:55:00 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District reminds boaters to stay clear of boat restricted zones near dams after a disabled recreational boat drifted into the restricted area near McNary Lock and Dam on Monday, July 6.

USACE to treat Osprey Point for invasive flowering rush

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:03:18 GMT

PASCO, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District will treat invasive flowering rush at Osprey Point in Pasco, Washington, using the herbicide Aquastrike (active ingredients: Diquat and Endothall).

Public crossing at Lower Monumental Lock and Dam closed starting July 13

Press Operations — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:55:11 GMT

KAHLOTUS, Wash. – The public crossing at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Lower Monumental Lock and Dam will be closed July 13 through July 23.

USACE Walla Walla District highlights recreation benefits, announces 2026 fee-free days

Press Operations — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:18:05 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – From eastern Washington to northeastern Oregon and Idaho, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District is proud to connect communities with the great outdoors. While the district works daily on critical water and energy infrastructure, it also manages more than 37 recreation areas. Welcoming millions of visitors each year, these public lands support local tourism and promote healthy, active lifestyles by offering:

Dworshak Dam to increase releases starting June 5

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:32:00 GMT

AHSAHKA, Idaho –Dworshak Dam releases will gradually increase from approximately 1,700 cubic feet per second to 6,400 cfs by the evening of Sunday, June 7.

Public crossing at Lower Monumental Lock and Dam closed on May 12

Press Operations — Fri, 01 May 2026 21:08:44 GMT

KAHLOTUS, Wash. – The public crossing at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Lower Monumental Lock and Dam will be closed May 12 for maintenance.

Increased Boise River flows anticipated this spring for flood risk management

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:48:43 GMT

BOISE, Idaho — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin flood risk management releases from its Boise River reservoirs starting Wednesday, April 15.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers temporarily closes Rooks Park

Press Operations — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:48:36 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District has temporarily closed Rooks Park, located at the Mill Creek Project, effective immediately through April 15.