River route set to re-open

After a three-month shut down, the navigation system on the Snake and Columbia rivers is set to re-open next Wednesday, March 23.

The opening is behind schedule due to some final repairs needed on Lower Monumental Dam on the lower Snake River near Kahlotus. Crews need to align the seals on the new gate on the Lower Monumental lock to ensure it is water-tight. The dam had been set to re-open March 15.

The dams have been closed since Dec. 10 for major repairs to three dams on the river system. In addition to the new gate at Lower Monumental, crews replaced lock gates at the Dalles and John Day d...