Wanapum to remain closed for Memorial Day weekend

EPHRATA - With Memorial Day weekend drawing near, Grant PUD and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) remind those planning to recreate on the Columbia River that the Wanapum reservoir shoreline remains closed to the public.

The PUD, working in conjunction with WDFW, has closed the shoreline, beaches, boat launches and all shoreline access points to the reservoir, which runs about 37 river miles between Wanapum Dam and Rock Island Dam.

Grant PUD sites that are closed include: Vantage Recreation Area, Kittitas County Boat Launch, Rocky Coulee, Sand Hollow, The Cove, Apricot Orchard, Crescent Bar Boat Launch and shoreline area, Wanapum Upper Boat Launch and Wanapum Heritage Center.

WDFW shoreline sites that are closed include: Yo Yo Rock, Old Vantage Highway, Sunland Estates Boat Launch, Frenchman Coulee/Climbing Rocks water access sites.

The shoreline was closed after the reservoir was drawn down in response to a fracture found Feb. 27 on a Wanapum Dam spillway. The shoreline is expected to be closed at least through the July 4 weekend.

There are several recreation sites open on the Priest Rapids reservoir on the Columbia River downstream of Wanapum Dam, including Priest Rapids Recreation Area, and the Wanapum Lower Boat Launch. The utility also plans to open the Huntzinger Boat Launch on Friday, May 23, which will provide access to the Priest Rapids reservoir.

According to PUD publicist Thomas Stredwick, the low-water situation on the Wanapum reservoir makes boat launches inoperable, has created hazardous conditions and has also exposed culturally-sensitive locations.