Grant County tourism should not slow down

The reservoir behind Wanapum Dam has been drawn down since late February to relieve pressure on a crack that developed in one of the concrete supports for the dam's spillway gates.

As motorists pass over the Columbia River on Interstate 90, people are getting a glimpse of the river not seen since the dam's reservoir filled in 1964.

Officials at Grant County Public Utility District, the dam's owner, still don't know what caused the crack. They've hired teams of technical experts and anticipate an answer in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, the utility has been working with other agencies to address impacts to migrating salmon, irrigators, public safety and tourism. This repair should not impact the many tourism opportunities offered in Grant County, Washington.

None of the more than 140 lakes are touched by this draw down, and only the 20-mile portion of the Columbia River above Wanapum Dam has been affected. Early indicators from March and April catches show that this may be one of the best Grant County fishing seasons in a long time.

With more than 247,000 surface acres of water in Grant County, fishing is a favorite activity. Many local lakes such as Banks Lake, Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir and others are open for year-round fishing. Local waters offer Walleye, Trout, Kokanee, Bass, Perch, Crappie, Catfish and more.

This spring a very popular fishing area below the Grand Coulee Dam has opened for the first time since the terrorist attacks of 2001. The area on Rufus Woods Lake from Highway 155 to the base of the Grand Coulee Dam is considered one of the best fishing spots on the upper Columbia River.

It had been closed due to security concerns ever since 911. The US Bureau of Reclamation announced that certain portions are now open during daylight hours only and that another part of the fishing area will open later this year, once more security measures are installed close to the Dam.

Boats are still not allowed past the Highway 155 Bridge and the road crossing the top of the Grand Coulee Dam remains closed.

For more information, you may contact Grant County Tourism Commission, 509.754.2011, Ext. 331.