Additional repairs needed at Little Goose navigation lock

 

The Walla Walla District of the Corps of Engineers has announced that significant repairs are needed at Little Goose navigation lock. During the routine closure this month, inspections revealed that a crack has grown on the gudgeon arm, or upper hinge, of one downstream gate leaf. To ensure safe operation, the gate must be closed until repairs can be made.

                                      

The gudgeon arm was originally scheduled to be replaced during the next extended maintenance and repair closure in FY2017, however, the component degraded faster than engineers expected. In preparation for the FY2017 repair, the Corps ordered replacement components late last year. Completion of the gudgeon has been accelerated and the parts are expected to arrive onsite by April 4th. The Corps will be updating stakeholders on the timeline throughout the process, but initial reports are that the navigation lock will return to service by May 1.

 

PNWA strongly supports the fastest possible repair by the Corps, such that the lock can be safely reopened and this important trade gateway can be restored. In the interim, PNWA is tracking impacts to the system and requests that you contact Heather Stebbings with information as it is available. We will continue to update our members on the project's progress as information is released from the Corps.