UMATILLA, Ore. – Locking a vessel past McNary Lock and Dam will take about 20 minutes longer than usual on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 26-27, while workers perform inspections and service of tainter drain/fill valves, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials at the dam.
Two of the navigation lock’s four valves will be shut off to allow the work to occur, resulting in about 35-45-minute lockage times, depending upon the direction of travel. Lockages moving vessels from downstream to upstream river levels take about 5-10 minutes longer than upstream-to-downstream lockages.
Recreational vessel owners can find information on nearby Corps-managed boat launches in the Walla Walla District at www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors.
To maintain reliable passage through this valuable navigation system, the Corps districts coordinate maintenance activities with inland shippers and cruise lines to achieve minimal impact to the various industries that use the locks. Public Notices and other navigation lock information are available on the Walla Walla District website at www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation.aspx, and on Portland District’s website at www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation.aspx.
The Corps’ Portland and Walla Walla districts maintain the commercial navigation route from the Pacific Ocean 465 miles inland to Lewiston, Idaho. The Columbia-Snake Inland Navigation System provides important benefits to businesses and the public. Barging on the inland Columbia-Snake river system supports the economic vitality of the Northwest and neighboring states that use the navigation channel. The navigation system helps generate jobs, facilitates imports and exports, and contributes to a stronger economy, environment and quality of life for the region.
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Release no. 17-105