COLUMBIA & SNAKE RIVERS, Ore. & Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District is closing navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake rivers beginning Jan. 14, 2024 at 6 a.m. for an eleven-week outage. This extended outage will allow the district to perform routine maintenance and to replace aged equipment to reduce the risk of asset failure.
The navigation locks included in the extended outage are McNary Dam, located at river mile 292 of the Columbia River, and Lower Monumental Dam, Little Goose Dam and Lower Granite Dam, located on the Snake River at river miles 41, 70 and 107 respectively.
USACE officials anticipate the four navigation locks included in this extended outage will return to service by March 29, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Officials plan to close the Ice Harbor navigation lock Feb. 26, 2024 at 6 a.m. and return it to service by March 22, at 11:59 p.m.
More information about the extended navigation lock outage can be found at https://www.nww.usace.army.mil/missions/navigation/2024-extended-navigation-lock-outage/.
Recreational vessel owners can find information on boat launches managed by the Walla Walla District at www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation.
In addition, the Walla Walla District may temporarily suspend public vehicle crossings at Lower Monumental, Little Goose and/or Lower Granite dams due to work activity. Crossings are subject to closure at any time, however, USACE will notify the public in advance of these closures if possible. Travelers in Washington state are strongly encouraged to call 888-DAM-INFO (888-326-4636) for dam-crossing information in advance of their travel.
To maintain safe and reliable passage through this valuable navigation system, USACE coordinates the annual lock closures with inland shippers and cruise lines to minimize impacts to lock users. For Walla Walla District navigation lock information and public notices, visit www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation. For Portland District navigation lock information, visit www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation and www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices for public notices.
Together, the USACE Portland and Walla Walla districts maintain 465 miles of commercial waterway from the Pacific Ocean to Lewiston, Idaho. The Columbia-Snake inland navigation system provides important benefits to business and the public. Approximately 9 million tons of cargo valued at over $3 billion is barged on the Columbia-Snake River System annually. The navigation system contributes jobs, facilitates import and export trade, and benefits the economy, environment and quality of life in the Pacific Northwest.