WALLA WALLA, Wash. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operations staff will begin diverting water from Mill Creek to Bennington Lake today in preparation for the upcoming recreation season.
The lake, which was drained in the fall for maintenance, is currently at 1191 feet above sea level.
“When the lake is filled to recreation level, it will be at 1205 feet above sea level, 14 feet higher than where it is now,” said Mill Creek Dam and Bennington Lake Operations Project Manager Rick Beauchesne.
Once the lake reaches the bottom of the boat ramp, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife staff and program partners from the Tri-State Steelheaders will be able to stock the lake with rainbow trout from the Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery, Beauchesne noted.
Recreation areas associated with Walla Walla District’s Mill Creek Dam and Bennington Lake, located just east of Walla Walla, Wash., include Bennington Lake, the Mill Creek Recreation Trail and Rooks Park. The lake and trail are open year round. Rooks Park is seasonally closed to vehicle traffic, but accessible year round to pedestrians.
Construction work to install a new toe drain along the Rooks Park-side of the diversion dike continues through the end of April, limiting public access to portions of the park and trail. To accommodate construction vehicles and associated work activity, the park gates are scheduled to remain closed until May 1. A map showing the construction zone and public access areas is available on the Web at www.nww.usace.army.mil/html/offices/pa/NR/NR11_files/NR11-30map.jpg.
“Visitors should stay clear of the work zones – they are clearly marked with orange fencing and warning signs,” Beauchesne cautioned. “Construction workers are using heavy equipment in this area, and it is not safe for the public to enter these areas.”
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 on Corps property is allowed in designated areas and seasons only. Boaters should ensure personal floatation devices are on board for each person – children 12 and younger are required to wear PFDs when in a boat.
For more information on Corps parks, visit www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors/.
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