News Release
| Release Number: | 04-133 |
| Dated: | 7/21/2004 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Workers to install instruments to monitor earlier repairs
Portland, Ore. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will close the navigation lock at John Day Dam to all river traffic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 22 and July 23.
Workers will use the time to install instrumentation to monitor post-tensioning anchors installed in the north wall during last winter’s repair.
The Corps expects this to be the last closure associated with the major repair work that began in Fall 2003. During the past year, the Corps has closed the John Day lock to repair the upstream lock gate, investigate cracks in the concrete, install permanent anchors in the walls and foundation, seal cracks and replace damaged concrete. The closures were coordinated with Columbia River commercial shipping interests, including tow boaters and cruise lines.
The longest closure was March 6 through April 3, 2004. During that time, the lock was completely unavailable to river traffic.
Completed in 1968, the John Day Dam spans the Columbia River from Washington to Oregon about 25 miles east of The Dalles, Ore., 215 miles upstream from the Pacific Ocean. More than 7.7 million tons of cargo - consisting of agricultural, petroleum, construction and manufactured products - moved through the John Day lock in 2003.