Coast Guard Responds to Bonneville Lock closure

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District PA Detachment Astoria
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Astoria
Office: (503) 861-6237
After Hours: (206) 391-5864
PA Detachment Astoria online newsroom

Coast Guard Responds to Bonneville Lock closure

Conner Coppedge, a fireman at Coast Guard Station Portland, sits in the back of a 29-foot Response Boat Small II during a routine small vessel security boarding patrol on the Columbia River.  Station Portland crews regularly patrol the Columbia River between Puget Island, Washington, Bonneville Lock and Dam in Oregon, the Willamette River and as far as Oregon City, Oregon. The crews perform random small vessel security boardings and respond to search and rescue calls. Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Valerie Walker

Editors' Note: Click on image to download high resolution version.

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Coast Guard is closely monitoring the impact on vessel traffic Monday due to the extended closure of a lock on the Columbia River.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers placed the Bonneville Navigation Lock out of service Friday after discovering a mechanical issue.

The lock has been drained and inspected, and repairs to damaged concrete are still in progress.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Waterways Management Division contacted local commercial fleets and have reported that 14 commercial vessels will be impacted by the lock closure:

Seven from Tide Water Barge;
Four from Shaver Transportation;
Three from American Cruise Line.

"We appreciate the close coordination with Portland Army Corps of Engineers staff as we work together to ensure the safe re-opening of the lock and waterway, given the area's importance to transportation and commerce," said Capt. Alan Moore, the commanding officer at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland.

The Bonneville Dam is 40-miles east of Portland and is the first in a series of eight dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers, which together make up an artery for goods flowing into and out of the region.

For updates on the status of the lock closure and repair progress, please visit the USACE Portland District Lock Status Webpage with Facebook/Twitter links at: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/Columbia-River/BonnevilleLockStatus/

-USCG-