Bennington Lake reopens to boating
Lake was closed to support Blue Creek aerial firefighting operations
WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Bennington Lake at the Mill Creek Project of the Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been reopened to boating, boat launching and watercraft use effective immediately. The closure was in support of firefighting helicopter operations to draft water from the lake for suppressing the nearby Blue Creek Fire east of Walla Walla.
“Supporting firefighting efforts at the Blue Creek Fire with water drawn from nearby Bennington Lake was an ancillary benefit that the Corps’ Mill Creek Project could provide,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Vail, Walla Walla District Commander. “The District and Mill Creek Project staff are proud to be able to support the larger team’s firefighting efforts.”
For safety of boaters and firefighting helicopters, boating on the lake had been closed on July 22. Drivers are cautioned to remain aware of emergency vehicle traffic in the Mill Creek area as firefighting efforts continue.
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Release no. 15-046