Snake River debris shuts down Lower Granite dam

Traffic on the lower Snake River was halted at Lower Granite Dam this week after floating debris damaged the gate cables on the dam’s upstream navigation lock.

Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District reported Tuesday a routine inspection showed the Kevlar material gate cables, which open and close the gate on the lock, were damaged and needed to be replaced.

Lock service for commercial vessels was shut off from 6:30 p.m. Monday through 6:30 p.m. Tuesday while crews cut off the old cables.

A floating bulkhead was ready for use to allow commercial traffic through the...