US Army Corps of Engineers ®

Recreation

Facilities have been developed in a number of areas, in the immediate vicinity of the dams and upstream along the river on both shores. In recent years, the Columbia River has become world famous for windsurfing. Here, favorable water and wind combine to provide the conditions required for the sport.

Many boaters enjoy the use of the river from activities such as waterskiing, fishing, and just enjoying the river. Personal watercraft are often seen sharing the waterways with windsurfers, kiteboarders, boats, and commercial vessels. The number of users and the natural dangers associated with water is why the Corp's emphasizes the concern for water safety and the use of personal floatation devices for everyone at all times. These links are not the only places you can find great water safety information but are some of the ones our rangers have found to have lots of good stuff to share.

These links are not part of our web site so content and accuracy are not within our control so if you have comments or concerns please direct those messages to the point of contact for those sites.

Water safety information can be found in many locations within the Corp's:

US Army Corps of Engineers National Water Safety Program

US Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division's Media Kit for water safety

and many locations outside the Corp's:

US Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety

National Water Safety Congress

National Safe Boating Campaign

Oregon State Marine Board

Boat Restricted Zones

The Dalles and John Day Dams have areas in the waterway both above and below the dams which are restricted access areas called the Boat Restricted Zone or BRZ. These areas are put into place because they provide a cushion of safety for all users of the waterway from unforeseen hazards. These hazards can include sudden discharges of water and/or extreme current changes because of adjustments in water flow due to remote operation from personnel within the dam and the forces of nature.

These zones should not be entered by anyone for any purpose. If you feel you have a need which requires you to enter the BRZ you must contact the Operations Staff of the appropriate dam.

The drawings and edited aerial photographs are provided to help users of the waterway to understand where these limits are. If any user is unsure exactly where these limits are the user should error on the side of safety and provide a wider cushion away from the dam’s structure.

The Dalles Dam

The downstream waters restricted to only government vessels are described as all downstream waters which lie between The Dalles Bridge and the project axis including those waters between the powerhouse and the Oregon Shore other than those of the ‘Navigation Lock Downstream Approach Channel’. The upstream waters restricted to only government vessels are described as all upstream waters which lie between the project axis and a line projected from the upstream end of the ‘Navigation Lock Guide Wall’ to the junction of the concrete structure with the earth fill section of the dam near the upstream end of the powerhouse other than those of the ‘Navigation Lock Upstream Approach Channel’.

John Day Dam

The downstream waters restricted to government vessels only are described as all of the waters between the dam and a line projected between Orange and White striped monuments on both the North and South shores of the river other than those of the ‘Navigation Lock Downstream Approach Channel’. The upstream waters restricted to government vessels are described as all waters between the dam and a line parallel to the dam about 1,000 yards upstream of the dam extending from the south (Oregon) shore to a line projected up from the ‘Navigation Lock Guide Wall’ along the ‘Navigation Lock Upstream Approach Channel’. There are buoys in the water to help boaters recognize the position of this upstream line.

Parks

The Corps has developed and maintained several parks along the river near The Dalles and John Day Dams. One just below The Dalles Dam, Seufert Park. Seven on Lake Celilo between the two dams; Hess, Spearfish, Avery Park West, Avery Park East, Celilo Park, Rufus Landing, and Giles French. Nine on Lake Umatilla between John Day Dam and McNary Dam; Cliffs, Railroad Island, LePage, Albert Philippi, Rock Creek, Sundale, Roosevelt, Quesnel, and Plymouth. There are other parks located along the river operated by state and local entities which include (from just below The Dalles Dam to above John Day Dam); The Dalles Boat Basin & Riverfront, Horsethief, Heritage, Deschutes, Maryhill, Arlington, Crow Butte, Boardman, Irrigon, and Umatilla.

You can purchase Day Use Passes by printing out the Day Use Pass Order Form then filling in all appropriate information and mailing it to the address on the bottom of the form with your payment.

We have a local Recreation Hotline for up to date information about each of the USACE park areas listed, call 541-298-7650. More than 800,000 recreation visits are made to our facilities each year. We want each visit to be safe and pleasant one.

Additional information about the facilities not operated by the Corp's but listed here can be requested by the Managing Organization.

The Dalles Dam Area

John Day Dam Area

Reservations

The USACE parks within our management and care are not taking reservations this year. They are on a first come first serve basis. You can make your reservations for other federal campsites, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and USDA Forest Service facilities via the The National Recreation Reservation Service (tm). It is a one-stop federal reservation resource. If you prefer not to use the Internet to make your reservations, call the toll-free reservation hotline (1-877-444-6777). The hotline is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. To make reservation at parks not run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contact the responsible agency listed for the park.

Volunteer

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Volunteer Clearinghouse is a nationwide, toll free hotline number for individuals who are interested in volunteering their time with the Corps. By calling the hotline a potential volunteer can express interest in any Corps project nationwide. The Clearinghouse in turn, gives the individual a point of contact for the area they have requested, as well as written information about volunteer opportunities there.