WALLA WALLA, Wash. – If your upcoming Veterans Day weekend plans include a road trip to visit family and friends on the opposite side of the lower Snake River, you may want to keep in mind that most U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams are closed to cross-dam public vehicle traffic on federal holidays, unless otherwise announced.
Lower Granite Lock and Dam, near Pomeroy, Wash., will be open for public vehicle crossings from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Lower Granite’s regular public vehicle crossing schedule allows traffic crossings daily, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for federal holidays, unless otherwise announced. Tour and school busses must contact the dam at (509) 843-1493 at least 24 hours in advance for crossing authorization.
Walla Walla District operations officials want to remind the public of temporary closures affecting their two of their three dams in Washington that allow public vehicle crossings:
Little Goose Lock and Dam, near Starbuck, Wash., will be closed for public vehicle crossings on Veterans Day. Crossings will resume their regular schedule on Monday, Nov. 14 – open for crossings once an hour, on the half-hour, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and closed on federal holidays, unless otherwise announced. Crossing times are 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning, and 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. Tour and school busses must contact the dam at (509) 399-2233, extensions 227, 231 or 252, at least 24 hours in advance for crossing authorization.
Lower Monumental Lock and Dam, near Kahlotus, Wash., will be closed for public vehicle crossings on Veterans Day. Crossings will resume their regular schedule on Monday, Nov. 14 – open for crossings once an hour, on the half-hour, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and closed on federal holidays, unless otherwise announced. Crossing times are 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning, and 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. If approaching from the south shore, travelers can reach the security guard for crossing escort by calling #228 on the phone at south gate. Tour and school busses must contact the dam 24 hours in advance for authorization (509) 282-3219/3218.
At all three dams, passenger cars, motorcycles, open trucks, recreation vehicles, small vans and farm equipment, with the exception of fuel trucks, will be allowed to cross. Large, commercial vehicles, trucks, vehicles hauling flammable or explosive cargo and vehicles that cannot be easily searched will not be allowed to cross the dams.
All vehicles crossing Corps dams are subject to a search. Photo identification is required for all vehicle occupants 16 years of age and older.
All firearms must be unloaded and declared at the gate. Security guards are authorized to perform detailed vehicle searches and deny vehicle access across the dam. Drivers may not stop their vehicles to take pictures or sightsee during crossings. Pedestrian traffic across the dam is not allowed because of safety considerations.
Operations officials note there could still be closures: the district may, at any time, close access to traffic for extended periods of time due to operations, maintenance or construction-related activities at a dam.
A change in security conditions could also terminate public access across the dam until such time as threat levels decrease. The public will be notified about closures, if possible, in advance, but the crossing is still subject to closing at anytime.
Photo identification, vehicle searches and other previously listed requirements are standard policy for the public to cross at Walla Walla District dams. Travelers can call 1-888-DAM-INFO (1-888-326-4636) for the most current dam-crossing information.
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