Willamette Falls Locks Temporarily Closed September 6th

This is a temporary closure, officials expect the Willamette Falls Locks to operate through Sept. 30th, when it will close for the season.

Willamette Locks Photo by: Tim King

(OREGON CITY) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will temporarily close the Willamette Falls Locks today due to an underwater hydraulic line failure.

A spokesperson says the locks should re-open for its normal schedule tomorrow if workers can repair the failure today.

The failure caused about 12 gallons of hydraulic fluid to be released into the lock. As soon as the fluid was seen, operators set up an oil spill containment boom and absorbent materials inside the lock. Clean-up efforts began shortly thereafter.

Officials expect the Willamette Falls Locks to operate through Sept. 30th, when it will close for the season. The locks normally operate from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Thursday through Monday.

The Corps has operated the Willamette Falls Locks, located at West Linn, Ore., since 1915. The project is on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a State Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

For more information about Willamette Falls Locks please visit the Portland District's web page at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/wfl.htm.