Wanapum Reservoir Shoreline reopens in select locations

EPHRATA - You're able to have fun again on Wanapum Reservoir, but access will be limited.

After Grant PUD raised the Wanapum reservoir by 17 feet in December, the utility, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and Washington State Parks re-opened it to the public on Jan. 7, publicist Chuck Allen announced.

Working in conjunction with other hydroelectric operators on the Columbia River, Grant PUD began raising the reservoir on Nov. 25 and finished on Dec. 1. After a thorough evaluation, the utility restored public access to most of the shoreline.

Two boat launches are operational at the current river level - Grant PUD's Wanapum Upper Boat Launch and the watercraft launch at Wanapum State Park just south of Vantage. With the reopening of the reservoir, Washington State Parks has opened the Wanapum State Park launch for daily access from 8 a.m. to dusk.

Camping at the park remains on its regular winter schedule, open for camping only on weekends and holidays until March 1. The park will resume a daily operating schedule for campground and day use facilities after March 1, for the 2015 season.

The following recreation-site locations on the reservoir remain closed because of inoperable boat launches, unstable shorelines or ongoing recreation site improvements:

Sand Hollow Recreation Area, Vantage Boat Launch and Day-Use Area, Frenchman Coulee Boat Launch, Sunland Boat Launch, Yo Yo Rock Boat Launch and Recreation Area, Quilomene Dune and Bay, West Bar, Crescent Bar Boat Launch and portions of Crescent Bar Island, Grant PUD property in the Tarpiscan Creek area and Grant PUD property off Columbia Siding Road

Closed shoreline areas are marked with no trespassing signs, Allen said. To ensure public safety, Grant PUD personnel and law enforcement officials will continue to patrol and enforce trespassing laws in these locations.

"Those visiting the shoreline and reservoir are cautioned to be aware that sections of the shoreline may still be unstable," Allen said.

Boaters should be mindful of shallow-water hazards and heed all warning signs and barriers near the dam. Grant PUD continues to monitor and evaluate conditions on the shoreline and will notify the public if the situation changes.

Work continues on the Wanapum Dam spillway, and Grant PUD expects to have enough repairs finished to return the reservoir to normal operations by the start of the 2015 recreation season.