Burbank, Wash. – Fishhook Park, located off of State Route 124 along the lower Snake River in Walla Walla County, will be without water next year while the water system is upgraded; however, it will remain open to visitors during their normal summer recreation season of May 18 through Sept. 4, 2018.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been cooperating with Washington State Department of Health as nitrate levels increased to an unacceptable level in the park’s drinking water. Construction on the water system at Fishhook Park is scheduled to spill into summer. A rejected alternative was to close the park while the work took place.
“The past several years, we have had to alert our users to the poor water quality and encourage them to provide their own drinking water,” says Park Ranger Heather Geertsen. “That’s not what people expect when they go to a full-service park and campground, so we’re correcting it before it gets worse.”
Providing access to public lands is an important part of the Corps’ mission, but by choosing to keep the park open, it will impact the way visitors use the facilities. Water will be turned off to individual campsites, restrooms, drinking fountains, and dump station as the new system components are installed. Portable toilets will be available.
Campers can make reservations up to six months in advance of their stay at www.recreation.gov, or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Opening weekend is May 18, 2018, so you can book your trip as early as November 18. Prices will be discounted by 50 percent over the 2018 camping season at Fishhook to make up for some of the inconvenience.
Nearby Charbonneau Park will remain open for camping, and there is a dump station with potable water to fill your tanks before driving to Fishhook. The public’s patience will allow people to still use the park, and drinking water will once again be available after the construction is completed.
For more information, contact: Tri-Rivers Natural Resources Office at 509-547-2048
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