PORTLAND DISTRICT

 

PORTLAND, Oregon –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins its winter recreational vessel lock schedule Sept. 16. Recreational boaters may lock past dams on the Columbia River almost any time during daylight hours.  

The change from scheduled recreational to ‘on-request’ lockages occurs seasonally to accommodate changing volumes of river traffic, according to Corps navigation officials. 

During the winter lockage season, which continues through May 14, 2017, recreational vessels may lock through only during daylight hours at the following Portland District navigation locks:  

Bonneville Lock and Dam Columbia River Mile 145
The Dalles Lock and Dam Columbia River Mile 191
John Day Lock and Dam Columbia River Mile 216

Commercial vessels continue to have lockage precedence over recreational vessels. Recreational vessels may be allowed to lock through with commercial vessels at the discretion of the lock operator.

All vessel owner/operators lock through at their own risk. Everyone in the vessel must wear a personal flotation device during lockage. Boaters must follow the directions of the lock operator when using the locks or operating in the vicinity of the locks. The lock operator has final authority regarding the suitability of a craft for lockage.  

Vessel owner/operators requesting lockage should contact the lock operator on duty using Marine Channel 14 or the following commercial telephone numbers:

Bonneville Lock and Dam Chief operator on duty 541-374-8323

The Dalles Lock and Dam Chief operator on duty 541-298-4007

John Day Lock and Dam Chief operator on duty 541-298-9712

The Corps of Engineers is planning an extended navigation lock closure beginning December 12, 2016.  The 14-week closure will affect all navigation locks operated by the Corps on the Columbia and Snake rivers.  The Bonneville navigation lock is scheduled to reopen Feb. 8, 2017; all other Columbia-Snake river navigation locks are expected to resume operations on March 20, 2017.  For more information on the FY 17 navigation lock extended outage please visit www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/FY17LockOutage.aspx. 

Boaters should refer to navigation notices, “How to Lock Through” instructions and other Corps District navigation lock information available at 

www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Portals/24/docs/navigation/HowToLockThru.pdf.

Willamette Falls Locks are closed to the public since November 2011. Due to concerns about the condition of the gudgeon anchors, or the equipment that helps move and stabilize the lock gates, the Portland District's dam safety officer placed the locks in a non-operational status.

Generally, the U.S.Coast Guard is the primary agency to identify and remove a hazard to navigation; however, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may be asked for assistance. Either USCG or USACE may remove hazards at the owner's expense. Local port districts, city, county and state agencies may also take legal action against an owner for removing a hazard to navigation within their jurisdictions.

Authority for removal of hazards to navigation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is referenced in Sections 15-20 of the River and Harbor Act of 1899.
Guidelines for coordination, removal of hazards to navigation, and cost recovery between the United States Coast Guard and the United States Army Corps of Engineers are found in the following:

• Title 33 United States Code, Sections 409, 411-415
• Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 245 - Removal of Wrecks and Other Obstructions
• Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 64 - Marking of Sunken Obstructions
• EP 1130-2-520 Project Operation, Navigation and Dredging Operations, Guidance and Procedures

 

Send an email with the subject "Hazards to Navigation," your questions or comments, and your preferred contact information to Hazards to Navigation Coordinator at:

DLL-CENWPHazardstoNavigation@usace.army.mil