Closure of Northwestern Lake Take-Out on the White Salmon River

The following are two emails sent by PacifiCorp’s Russ Howison and Todd Olson. They are working hard to keep us informed about changes to access on the White Salmon River. These emails address the recent, temporary closure of the Northwestern Lake take-out.

From: Howison, Russ [mailto:Russ.Howison@Pacificorp.com]
Subject: RE: Closure of Northwestern Lake Take Out

I wanted to provide you all with a short update to Todd’s email last week. The White Salmon River continues to down-cut in the area around the Northwestern Lake Bridge and there has been no improvement in conditions in this area. The old wood bridge pilings immediately upstream of the Northwestern Park Boat Ramp are particularly dangerous right now (see attached photo). Because the site has not yet stabilized, there is little we can do right now to reopen the boat ramp. Therefore, to protect public safety, the boater take-out at the park remains temporarily closed until conditions are deemed safe by JR Merit and PacifiCorp Energy. We are working on a plan to remove the pilings and will let you know as soon as there is any change in conditions at the takeout.

Regards,

Russ Howison
Hydro Resources
PacifiCorp Energy

From: Olson, Todd
Subject: Closure of Northwestern Lake Take Out

Please be advised that White Salmon River conditions near the Northwestern Lake Bridge and Northwestern Lake Park are changing almost every day. The river has cut it’s bed down approximately 12 feet and this cut continues to move upstream. It has also revealed previously unknown hazards within the river course (see attached picture). The river bank at this location is very steep and not conducive to raft take out. PacifiCorp and JR Merit are monitoring the site and once it looks like the course has stabilized we can assess adjusting the slopes for boater take out. Until then and per PacifiCorp’s Recreation Management Plan that states “River conditions and the former reservoir will be monitored after the dam breach and, if conditions develop that pose a threat to public safety, the boater take-out at the park will be temporarily closed until conditions are deemed safe by JR Merit and PacifiCorp Energy. Notification of closures will be made to the U.S. Forest Service.” PacifiCorp will temporarily close the ramp until further notice. We have notified by phone message Sue Baker of the U.S. Forest Service.

Thanks, Todd

Todd Olson
Director, Compliance
PacifiCorp