05/28/2026
PNWA joined partners from Tidewater Barge Lines, Shaver Transportation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a firsthand look at navigation operations along the Columbia River System. The tour began at The Dalles Dam, where participants met with Corps representatives before boarding a Tidewater tug for a four-hour transit upriver to John Day Dam.
During the tour, attendees observed how barges navigate through a navigation lock, which is a massive water elevator that safely raises and lowers vessels between changing river elevations. The trip focused on operational impacts resulting from the Oregon District Court's Preliminary Injunction (issued in March), which creates significant operation challenges. The Columbia and Snake River System includes eight federal dams and locks that together create a 465-mile inland navigation corridor connecting Pacific Northwest communities, agriculture, and commerce. The visit highlighted the importance of continued investment in reliable navigation infrastructure that supports regional trade, transportation, and economic activity.
