For Those on The Columbia and Snake Rivers

[AKBASSKING]

COLUMBIA AND SNAKE RIVERS - Summer Seasonal Lockage Schedule for Recreational Craft

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla and Portland Districts, are implementing the summer seasonal lockage schedule, which is
effective from 15 May 11 to 15 Sep 11, for the passage of recreational craft through the navigation locks. For the lockage schedule and
additional information, visit the website https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/s/nl/home.asp or contact the Walla Walla District at (509) 527-​

7115 or the Portland District at (503) 808-4384 (Public Notice OD-TS-11-01, 11-03).

 

[Gofirstclass]

Thanks. I saw that in our local paper this morning. We were planning a trip up the Snake this weekend but postponed it for 2 weeks. The summer schedule is not a big deal unless you're traveling a long distance and passing through more than one lock. Of course, tugs and barges get first priority so that can delay a recreational boat's passage through the locks. But, we're not supposed to be in a hurry when we're on the boat so I guess it doesn't matter.

GFC

 

[AKBASSKING]

That will be my next big adventure is to lock. I have never done it, so I will have to make a trip up to Bonniville, just so I can say I have.

 

[expressboy]

Here is another link that I have found useful on the river(s)

http://www.fpc.org/currentdaily/flowspil.txt

This shows the flow rates for all the dams, the most tricky is Bonneville in spring/early summer when the total flow is over 300,000 cubic feet per second.. that is a lot of water that flows through a very narrow channel.

AKBASSKING... if you have not yet experienced the locks use lots of big fenders to protect your topsides... and be prepared to loose a few each year to the cheese grater walls in the locks.
EXPRESSBOY

 

[AKBASSKING]

AKBASSKING... if you have not yet experienced the locks use lots of big fenders to protect your topsides... and be prepared to loose a few each year to the cheese grater walls in the locks.
EXPRESSBOY

Thanks. I think I will drive to the dam first to see it first.

 

[expressboy]

Don't be afraid to tell the lock operator that it's your first time, and pull as far as you can to the front of the chamber as the current flow it the least in the front. Bonneville has the most current flow below any of the dams as the river necks down to about 600' wide in the last couple miles.. a fast boat will have no issue at all. Most all of the lock operators are very helpful.. give them plenty of warning that you are on their way as they do not man the locks at all times.. only on demand. Also as a word of caution.. the wind really can howl on the middle part ( the gorge ) so you really need to watch the weather. It is not uncommon to see 6'+ waves build in the river at times... and they are not like the waves you see in the open salt water your use too. The river is a amazing place.. we actually live on Puget Sound and have to travel 3 hours to get to our boat. It is really worth it for the different experience.
EXPRESSBOY

 

[Spot]

Always great to see the local boys taking care of the local team. Thanks for the update

 

[expressboy]

"Always great to see the local boys taking care of the local team. Thanks for the update"


I am as of this weekend next door to you at Tomahawk... I moved out of covered moorage at Jantzen bay to be in the sun ( right! )
EXPRESSBOY

 

[Spot]

Liquid sun!

Nice to see a neighbor here

Scott

 

[Gofirstclass]

The bollards you will tie to in Bonneville are a few feet taller than the bollards in the other locks on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. I don't know why they are, but when we came through their last fall my Admiral couldn't reach the bollards. I had to come down off the helm to tie us up.

By way of a tip on being inside the lock, I tie up to the bollard using a single line from a midship cleat up to the bollard. I put plenty of fenders along the side and always keep both engines running. That helps when you're trying to keep the bow or stern off the wall.

Keep in mind that the water flow will only affect your boat when you're going UP. When you're on your way downstream they're just emptying water from the lock and it won't be pushing you around.

Your position in the lock will determine how the water flow affects your boat. The water flows into the lock (to raise your boat) near the denter point of the lock. If you're forward of the midpoint of the lock, the water flowing in will be pushing against your stern. Whether you're tied with one line (from the midship cleat) or two lines (bow and stern lines) the pivot point is goign to be at the bollard. When the water pushes against the stern it will try to force your bow against the wall. That's when you want lots of fenders up front. You can also put your port engine (assuming a starboard tie) momentarily in reverse to pull the bow off the wall.

If you are tied at the downstream end of the lock the water flowing in will be pushing against your bow and pushing the stern against the wall. The port engine momentarily put in forward will help keep the stern off the wall.

Also be aware of what winds will do if you're in the kind of lock that has a guillotine door at the downstream end when they raise the door. At Ice Harbor we were in there one time when the winds were howling. When they lifted the door it made a venturi and the winds coming under the door almost blew us against the opposite wall when we untied. We had a few scary moments before I could get the boat straightened out.

For your first time, take it slow and easy, like expressboy suggested, when you call the lock operator (Channel 14) to let them know you'd like and upstream lockage, let him know you're a virgin. Bonneville lifts slower than any of the other locks on the river so don't worry about how fast you'll go up. When you're maneuvering to tie to the bollard, take your time, get your line(s) as tight as you can. Oh, and don't forget to have the camera handy.

GFC