Your PUD
News Release
Powerhouse Park at Chelan Falls to reopen June 20
Chelan County PUD
News Release
6/12/2009
CHELAN FALLS -- Chelan County PUD plans to reopen Powerhouse Park at Chelan Falls on Saturday, June 20, nearly a year earlier than expected. Some areas of the park will still be off limits to the public due to ongoing construction activity nearby, but the popular swimming beach, picnic areas and restrooms will be open.
Closed-off areas will be marked with signs and fences, not only for public safety but to make sure park users are aware of new environmentally sensitive locations.
The popular park has been closed since spring 2008 out of public safety concerns regarding nearby heavy construction activities. The Chelan Falls powerhouse is in the midst of a major modernization project, and new fish habitat has also been constructed in the powerhouse tailrace and in the lower stretch of the nearby Chelan River. The park closure has allowed contractors to perform work safely and on schedule, unimpeded by park users. The PUD knows how popular the park is for local residents and at this point has decided the remaining work can be done safely while allowing people to use the park for the summer. Originally, the park was expected to remain closed until next spring.
As a safety precaution and to protect the riverbank from foot traffic erosion, a temporary fence will be erected around the area of the aging boat ramp at the park until it can be removed for safety reasons. That work will proceed once a state permit is acquired for in-river work and will result in temporary closure of the park for up to a week sometime later this year. The public will be notified when that closure will occur.
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Steve Lachowicz
Communications director
509-661-4639, direct line
509-679-0148, cell
steve.lachowicz@chelanpud.org