STARBUCK, Wash. – Outdoors enthusiasts can enjoy spring at recreation facilities on Lake Bryan managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Corps recreation planners invite the public to "play it safe" while having some warm-weather fun. Although above-water temperatures are becoming warmer, springtime water temperatures can be cold enough to cause swimmers to develop hypothermia – a severe lowering of core body temperature. State boating, hunting and fishing regulations apply to visitors at Corps sites. Hunting is allowed in designated areas only. Boaters should ensure personal floatation devices (PFDs) are on board for each person – children 12 and younger are required to wear PFDs when in a boat less than 19 feet long. Recreation information is available on our website: www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors.
Visitors may see changes in services and operating seasons at some parks as a result of the Walla Walla District experiencing an approximately nine-percent or $669,000 decrease in its recreation budget, previously announced in September 2011. To help keep parks open to the public, district natural resources management staff welcome local volunteers and organizations to assist with maintenance and other chores at Corps-operated recreation facilities.
Volunteers are a key factor in keeping recreation facilities clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy, according to Lower Granite Natural Resources Management Office park rangers. If you’d like to volunteer to help with an individual or group project, contact the Lower Granite Natural Resources Management Office at 509-751-0240 or e-mail ClarkstonNaturalResources@usace.army.mil. Individuals or organizations interested in volunteering at other Corps-operated recreation sites throughout the Walla Walla District may contact Natural Resources Management at 509-527-7139 or e-mail VolunteerCOEWalla@usace.army.mil.
Contact information for Lake Bryan parks on the lower Snake River listed below unless stated otherwise: Lower Granite Natural Resources Management. Telephone: 509-751-0240. Email: ClarkstonNaturalResources@usace.army.mil.
Little Goose Lock and Dam – Open year-round, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. For dam-crossing information, call 1-888-DAM-INFO (326-4636). Facilities: visitor center, fish-viewing room, day-use, fishing, primitive camping on the north and south shores west of the dam. Wood fires prohibited June 10 through Oct. 10. Getting there: travel 9 miles northeast of Starbuck, Wash., on Little Goose Dam Road; located at Snake River Mile 71.
Little Goose Landing – Open year-round. Facilities: day-use, boat ramp, semi-primitive camping. Wood fires prohibited June 10 through Oct. 10. Getting there: travel 9 miles northeast of Starbuck, Wash., on Little Goose Dam Road, located 1 mile east of Little Goose Dam, at Snake River Mile 72, on the south riverbank.
Central Ferry Park – Closed until further notice.
Willow Landing – Open year-round. Facilities: day-use, boat ramp, primitive camping. Wood fires prohibited June 10 through Oct. 10. Getting there: travel 1 mile south of Central Ferry Park on Highway 127, 4 miles east on Deadman Road, then 5 miles north on Hasting Hill Road; located at Snake River Mile 88, on the south riverbank.
Illia Dunes – Open year-round, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Facilities: day-use. Getting there: travel 3 miles west of Lower Granite Dam on Kirby-Mayview Road; located at Snake River Mile 102, on the south riverbank.
Illia Landing – Open year-round. Facilities: day-use, boat ramp, dock, primitive camping. Wood fires prohibited June 10 through Oct. 10. Getting there: travel 3 miles west of Lower Granite Dam on Almota Ferry Road; located at Snake River Mile 103, on the south riverbank.
Boyer Park and Marina (operated by Port of Whitman County, 509-397-3208) – Please call or visit the Boyer Park web page http://bpark.biz for hours of operation. Facilities: camping, day-use, swimming, boat ramp, marina, restaurant (closed Mondays), hotel rooms, marine gas, marine dump station. Getting there: travel 2 miles west of Lower Granite Dam on the north shore road; located at Snake River Mile 105.5, on the north riverbank. For more information, go online to www.bpark.biz.
A list of Walla Walla District recreation sites is online at www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors/parkslist.htm.
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