Lock Fest 2010
May 15

What:     More than a thousand visitors enjoyed a gorgeous sunny day at our  family-friendly history festival, celebrating the 2010 reopening of 137-year-old Willamette Falls Navigation Canal and Locks and the 95th year of Corps of Engineers stewardship and operations of the canal. The crowd was particularly interested in the two commercial cargoes that locked through: 150 tons of scrap steel from Schnitzer Steel, in Portland, heading for a recycling center/rolling mill in McMinnville; and a barge of sand. (See photo)

Lock operators report that 31 boats locked through during the 11 hours the canal was open Saturday, including eight commercial lockages.  Both barges and recreational boaters were patient and took turns with the Sternwheeler Rose, yachts, sailboats, a Grand Ronde tribal canoe and small-boat paddlers sharing the river and canal yesterday.  We thank all of you who participated and made it such a great day for boat-watching.

THE LOCKS' SAFETY INSPECTION AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND BOATS CAN AGAIN USE THE LOCKS TO GO AROUND THE FALLS.  NORMAL 2010 SEASONAL HOURS ARE:

Thursday, Friday, Monday ==  9 - 4

Saturday and Sunday          == 11- 6

For more information on how to access and use the canal, click on the "Lock Safety" item on the menu at left, which takes you to US Army Corps of Engineers instructions for boaters. 

      Thanks again to our major sponsors Portland General Electric, the One Willamette River Coalition, the City of West Linn, The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, The West Linn Tidings, Hollywood Lighting Services, Accurate Installation, American Medical Response, West Linn Chamber of Commerce, West Linn Paper Company and the Willamette Falls Heritage Foundation.

updated 5/16/10