The locks have a final safety inspection and then the locks will be operational once again in late 2008.  According to sources at the Portland District Corps of Engineers office, the Corps' reprogramming request, identifying money to pay for the Judraulic Steel Structures inspection, has been signed by the Assistant Secretary of the Army and sent on to the congressional committee that requested it.  The inspection, which will take approximately three months, may being right after Lock Fest and may overlap or actually start in the Federal budget year 2008-2009, which begins October 1.

 

Boaters and flotillas who have participated in the past at Lock Fest will not be able to float the river.  Instead, the Willamette Falls Heritage Foundation urges boaters to visit on land, at the Locks park.