The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District has announced an upcoming extended outage of the navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake rivers. This eleven-week closure, beginning on January 14, 2024, at 6 a.m., is necessary to facilitate routine maintenance and the replacement of aged equipment. By minimizing the risk of asset failure, this maintenance work aims to ensure the safe and reliable passage of vessels through the navigation system. In this article, we will delve into the details of this extended outage, the impacted locks, anticipated timelines, and the benefits of the Columbia and Snake rivers' inland navigation system.
The Columbia-Snake inland navigation system, maintained jointly by the USACE Portland and Walla Walla districts, spans 465 miles from the Pacific Ocean to Lewiston, Idaho. This vital waterway serves as a conduit for approximately 9 million tons of cargo, valued at over $3 billion, annually. The commercial navigation system not only supports job creation but also facilitates import and export trade, contributing to the economy, environment, and quality of life in the Pacific Northwest.
Extended outage for routine maintenance
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District is set to close the navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake rivers for an eleven-week extended outage, beginning on January 14, 2024, at 6 a.m. The purpose of this closure is to carry out routine maintenance activities and replace aging equipment, thereby reducing the risk of asset failure. By proactively addressing maintenance needs, the Walla Walla District aims to ensure the long-term reliability and functionality of the navigation locks.
The extended outage will affect several navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The locks included in this closure are as follows:
- McNary Dam: Located at river mile 292 of the Columbia River.
- Lower Monumental Dam: Situated on the Snake River at river mile 41.
- Little Goose Dam: Positioned on the Snake River at river mile 70.
- Lower Granite Dam: Found on the Snake River at river mile 107.
These locks play a crucial role in facilitating the movement of vessels along the Columbia and Snake rivers, and their temporary closure is necessary to perform the required maintenance and equipment replacements.
Timelines and return to service
According to officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District, the four navigation locks included in the extended outage are expected to return to service by March 29, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. This timeline allows sufficient time for the completion of maintenance tasks and the replacement of equipment. Additionally, the Ice Harbor navigation lock will be closed on February 26, 2024, at 6 a.m., and is anticipated to resume service by March 22, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
For more information regarding the extended navigation lock outage, interested individuals can visit the official website of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District.
Please note that the Walla Walla District may temporarily suspend public vehicle crossings at Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and/or Lower Granite dams due to work activity. These crossings are subject to closure at any time; however, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District will make efforts to notify the public in advance, if possible. Travelers in Washington state are encouraged to call 888-DAM-INFO (888-326-4636) for dam-crossing information prior to their travel.
