The Columbia-Snake River System, a critical trade corridor supporting $24 billion in commerce annually, will pause operations for two weeks beginning March 9, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, conducts its annual navigation lock maintenance.
This scheduled closure ensures the continued reliability of the system, which moves over 50 million tons of cargo each year, including wheat, soy, corn, and minerals. The work will include routine inspections and maintenance, along with equipment upgrades at The Dalles Lock & Dam and guidewall repairs at Bonneville Lock & Dam following damage sustained over the past year.
“These maintenance periods allow our engineers and crews to inspect critical infrastructure, address minor issues before they escalate, and ultimately prevent unscheduled outages during the year,” said USACE project manager, Ross Foster. “This year, we’re also installing new monitoring instrumentation at The Dalles Lock & Dam to track key areas that have posed challenges in the past.”
The Portland and Walla Walla Districts have aligned their schedules to minimize disruptions. The Walla Walla District’s lock closure will run from March 8 through March 22, overlapping with Portland’s schedule. USACE works closely with inland shippers, cruise lines, and recreational users to ensure efficient planning around these annual maintenance periods.
During the closure, recreational boaters will be unable to pass through the navigation locks along the Columbia-Snake River System. Boaters should plan accordingly and seek alternative routes or launch sites upstream or downstream of the locks. Public access to some areas near the locks may also be restricted for safety reasons.
The Columbia River locks handle over 10 million tons of cargo annually, playing a key role in the $24 billion worth of goods transported through the Columbia-Snake River System each year. With a legacy dating back to 1871, navigation remains one of USACE Portland District’s most essential missions, supporting regional economies, agriculture, and global trade.