Federal water managers are changing release and storage schedules at several Pacific Northwest dams because of a late season and strong atmospheric river that began late last week.  Significant amounts of rainfall have fallen across the Columbia River Basin filling reservoirs and rivers.  To assist in managing river stages at Vancouver, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing storage behind John Day Dam.  Most dams on the Columbia and lower Snake rivers are “run of river” projects, but the John Day Dam provides for some storage capacity to aid in reducing flooding in the lower Columbia River.  The Corps will manage the reservoir up to elevation 268 feet by Thursday, which may impact shoreline trails and parks along the John Day reservoir shoreline.  Current flood risk management operations limiting outflows at John Day Dam is expected to keep the Columbia River at Vancouver just at flood stage, with an expected peak Monday.   Reservoirs in the Columbia Basin are being operated to release sufficient water to preserve storage space and capture incoming runoff. There are currently no control points downstream of Corps projects that are forecast to exceed flood stage, although several points throughout the basin will reach flood stage.

Wasco County and fire districts within it will be implementing a county wide burn ban effective on Wednesday.  This ban includes open burning such as yard debris and burn barrels and is intended to prevent wildfires.  Hood River County plans to implement their seasonal burn ban July 1.  Fire managers welcome the recent rain, but caution landowners that warm temperatures and dry periods quickly dry fine vegetative fuel, making it receptive to fire starts.  Fire burning in these fine fuels quickly spreads to both live vegetation and larger fuels which have low fuel moisture due to underlying long-term drought conditions.  The Oregon Department of Forestry says any landowner who has burned this spring should revisit their burn site to ensure there is no fire or heat remaining, which could spread to adjacent fuels as seasonal weather returns.  The Dalles Unit forester Kristin Dodd says they are concerned that recent rain will give landowners a false sense of the risks involved with burning at this time.  Alternatives to burning, such as chipping or disposal at a local landfill are encouraged.  Counties and local fire departments may have additional restrictions in place.

Starting this week, travelers who use Washington Highway 142 between Lyle and the Little Klickitat River in Klickitat County will get a reprieve from daytime resurfacing work.  The Washington State Department of Transportation says on Tuesday the contractor will pause resurfacing work for the next several weeks to allow the recent application of crack sealant time to cure, which helps preserve the foundation of the highway.  Once the cure window is complete and contractor crews are available, work will resume beginning with the application of the chip seal which will extend the useful life of the highway for many years to come.  Applying the chip seal over uncured crack sealant can cause the sealant to expand and potentially damage the roadway.  Allowing for cure time ensures the cracks are sealed properly.

The City of The Dalles’ water system’s Drinking Water Quality Report, also known as Consumer Confidence Report or CCR, for the year of 2021 has been mailed out to every water customer in the City’s service area.  According to the City, the annual report shows residents can drink and wash hands in water from any home faucet and public tap with a high assurance of safety.  The report also says the municipal system provides water where firefighters need it, when they need it, supports the economy, and enhances the overall quality of life in The Dalles.  The report is available online at thedalles.org/waterquality

Balcom Environmental Services has been contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide community Involvement support for the Bradford Island site in Cascade Locks.  The Bradford Island site was recently listed on the National Priorities List by the Environmental Protection Agency, and public engagement will continue through the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act process.  The Corps plans to hold in person and virtual interviews during July and August, and examine creation of a community advisory group.  To set up an interview, call 719-290-3765.

The Union Street Undercrossing in The Dalles will be closed to all traffic at times until further notice due to a combination of snow melt and rain elevating the Columbia River, causing it to overtop its banks in some locations and leading to water at the undercrossing to be deep enough to be hazardous to vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.  According to the Corps of Engineers, which operates the dams, the high water level of the Bonneville Pool is necessary for flood control due to recent rain and snow melt.  When necessary, Union Street northbound will be closed to through traffic at the railroad tracks, and will be completely closed north of the Hattenhauer access road.  Intermittent access to Lewis and Clark Festival Park will be open as river levels allow.  Approaching the undercrossing from the west side, West 1^st Street will be closed to through traffic at Terminal Way and will be completely closed beyond the employee access to the Oregon Cherry Growers Riverside facility.  Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to use Webber Street as an alternate route to access West 1st Street and the west section of the Riverfront Trail during times the underpass is closed.  The closure may be periodic and sometimes sustained for several days during the spring water runoff times.

The Wild Cherry Fruit Fly has made its first appearance of the season in the region.  Oregon State University Extension says a fruit fly was caught in a baited trap this past weekend at the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center.  Traps are set at the Center, Dallesport, and The Dalles.  All sites are about 2 weeks behind the past two years, and the 10-year average.  Adult female flies require seven to ten days after emergence to become sexually mature.  Sprays should target egg-laying females to prevent fruit injury.  Fallen or unharvested fruit can be a resource for late season infestation, and in those circumstances, orchardists may need to consider a post-harvest spray to prevent problems the following year.

One Community Health has partnered with the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Primary Care Association in opening two COVID Test-to-Treat centers for OCH patients and individuals from underserved communities with plans to expand access in the coming months to the entire Columbia Gorge community.  OCH’s Test-to-Treat centers are located outside OCH’s existing clinics in Hood River and The Dalles and are staffed by providers, pharmacists, medical assistants, and nurses.  The Test-to-Treat centers offer “one-stop shopping” for COVID services, including rapid diagnostic COVID testing, an evaluation by a medical provider, and if appropriate, the anti-viral treatments Paxlovid or Molnupiravir will be prescribed and provided on-site, with no need to go to a separate pharmacy location.  OCH was approached by the OHA and Oregon Primary Care Association to serve as a pilot site for the Oregon Test-to-Treat Program to help improve access and treatment for communities disproportionately impacted by COVID.  For more information on OCH’s Test-to-Treat Program go to onecommunityhealth.org or call 541-386-6380.

Zora Richardson of The Dalles will be heading to Mobile, Alabama on Monday to participate in the 65th Distinguished Young Women National Finals later in the month.  Richardson is one of 50 representatives competing for over $150,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2022.  During her two weeks in Mobile, Richardson will participate in team building activities, complete community service projects, interact with the Gulf Coast community through various events and engage in many hours of rehearsal in preparation for the three-night scholarship competition.  If selected as the program’s overall winner, Richardson will spend the next year representing Distinguished Young Women across the country through various appearances and promoting the program’s national outreach initiative of Be Your Best Self, which is designed to combat major issues facing children today including childhood obesity and high school dropout rates, as well as encourage young people to take an active interest in their communities through service.  Richardson is a 2022 graduate of The Dalles High School and the daughter of Judy and Dan Richardson.

The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District has a wide range of summer day camps available for kids this summer.  Full-week day camps will be available throughout July and August, while there will also be shorter duration sports camps and some specialty camps available to youngsters, particularly in the elementary and middle school ages.  District Recreation Supervisor Jaime Rivera says they have the ability to make sure the camps are available to anyone regardless of a family’s financial situation.  Descriptions of the camps and registration information is available at hoodriverparksandrec.org.