STARBUCK, Wash. – Public vehicle traffic across Little Goose Lock and Dam will be temporarily suspended Monday through Thursday, Feb. 12-15, to accommodate river-debris collection and removal activities, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, operations officials at the dam.
Floating wood – ranging in size from small twigs to telephone pole-sized logs – and trash are swept into rivers during seasonal runoff from snow and rain. Once the debris encounters the dam, it typically collects in the forebay area (the upstream side of the dam). It can interfere with safe access to perform maintenance activities and poses other potential hazards. Maintenance staff at the dam will be using trucks and cranes to remove trash and woody debris, which might otherwise float into and damage fish passageways, or potentially enter the powerhouse turbine intakes, said Little Goose Dam’s Chief of Operations Jeannette Wilson.
Access to the south shore tailrace park, picnic area and river walk at the downstream end of the navigation lock remains open to the public, as well as Little Goose Landing, located one mile upstream of the dam. The nearest bridge across the Snake River is located about 8 miles northwest of Starbuck, Washington, on Highway 261, between Lyons Ferry Marina and Lyon Ferry State Park.
Vehicle travelers are encouraged to check the dam-crossing information line for updates 1-888-DAM-INFO (1-888-326-4636). Like and follow us on Facebook for the latest news about Little Goose Lock and Dam https://www.facebook.com/Little.Goose.Dam/.
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Release no. 18-009