Dworshak Reservoir announces fall recreation opportunities

Autumn can be a wonderful time to enjoy U.S. Army Corps of Engineer recreation facilities in beautiful north Idaho at the Dworshak Dam and Reservoir, a news release from the organization said.

Fall hunting seasons in Idaho are open for large and small game, and Dworshak offers excellent access to elk, deer, bear and grouse hunting lands. Dworshak natural resource staff members encourage sportsmen to come fish, camp and hunt on lands managed and operated by the corps. While visiting these public recreation areas, make the experience a safe and happy one for everybody by following a few rules, because safety is everyone's responsibility.

Hunting is allowed on all corps property around the reservoir except in developed recreation areas. Motorized vehicles are only allowed on paved or maintained gravel roads with ditch lines. Driving around gates and cross-country travel is prohibited. Visitors are asked to please be aware of where they are and the rules associated with motorized vehicle operation.

Fall and winter reservoir levels are expected to stabilize at around elevation 1,520 feet above mean sea level. At this level, the boat ramps at Big Eddy, Bruce's Eddy #1, Dent Campground and Dworshak State Park are still open for use. All Idaho State boating, hunting and fishing regulations apply to visitors at Dworshak Reservoir. Boaters at Dworshak must ensure properly fitted personal floatation devices (life jackets) are on board for each person - children 14 and younger are required to wear PFDs when traveling in boats up to 19 feet in length. When boating on the reservoir, please use caution because lake levels can rapidly change. Always be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia and wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device.

For updated water level and boat ramp information, call (800) 321-3198. For regional reservoir, water level, and flow information, visit the Walla Walla District's web site at http://www.nww.usace.army.mil. Information is also available by calling (208) 476-1261, and local travelers on U.S. Hwy. 12 can get information by tuning their car radios to AM-1610.

With the cooler temperatures and earlier sunsets, many Dworshak recreation facilities plan to adjust their hours of operation for the Fall-Winter season. Recreation areas associated with Dworshak Dam and Reservoir and their Fall-Winter hours are listed below:

Dworshak Visitor Center - Dworshak's visitor center will return to fall hours on Sept. 18 - Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be no tours offered during these hours. For more information regarding facilities access and current conditions, check area print and broadcast media outlets for updates from the corps. The center offers a variety of interpretive displays and movies about Dworshak and the history of the area, including the "Last of the Log Drives." It also contains interpretive displays, scenic view points, a day-use area, tables, shade, flush toilets, drinking water and public phone. There is no visitor access to other areas of the dam. To get to the Visitor Center, drive five miles west of Orofino on State Highway 7; turn right onto View Point Road and follow signs for about two miles; the Visitor Center is adjacent to the north dam abutment; located at North Fork Clearwater River Mile 2, North River Bank.

Mini-Camps are open spring through fall months, with no specific hours of operation. Facilities include over 100 primitive camp sites available along the shoreline. Most are only accessible by boat. The reserving of mini-camp sites along the Dworshak Reservoir shoreline is prohibited. The early placement of camping equipment at mini-camp sites to ensure a spot can result in the removal of the camping equipment or a citation. There are various mini-camp locations on each bank of the lake. Call Dworshak staff at (208) 476-1261 for site-specific information.

Big Eddy is open year round, with no specific hours of operation. Facilities include: a day use area, swim beach, playground, restrooms, marina, boat ramp, picnic areas and sun shelters. To get there, drive six miles west of Orofino on State Highway 7; turn right onto View Point Road and follow signs for about three miles to Big Eddy; located at North Fork Clearwater River Mile 3, West River Bank.

Bruces Eddy is open year round, with no specific hours of operation during summer. Facilities include: a day use area, restrooms and two boat ramps. To get there, drive five miles west of Orofino on State Highway 7; pass Dworshak National Fish Hatchery; turn right just before the bridge at Ahsahka and go 2 miles uphill on the "A" Road to Bruces Eddy; located at North Fork Clearwater River Mile 2, South River Bank.

Canyon Creek is open spring through fall months, with no specific hours of operation. Facilities include: a primitive camping area with 17 sites, vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings, and boat ramp. To get there, drive 11 miles north of Orofino; follow Wells Bench Rd. five miles, turn left and follow signs to Canyon Creek Campground. Portions of the road are gravel; located at North Fork Clearwater River Mile 7, South River Bank.

Dam View is open spring through fall months, with no specific hours of operation. Facilities include: a primitive camping area located near Visitors Center, vault toilet, picnic tables and fire rings To get there, drive six miles west of Orofino on State Highway 7; turn right onto View Point Road and follow signs toward Big Eddy, just past the visitor center road, turn right; located near the West River Bank of North Fork of the Clearwater River.

Dent Acres Campground is open for late season camping by self-deposit registration which begins at Dent Campground on Sept. 5 and continues through Nov. 26, weather permitting. A reduced fee of $10 per site is in effect. Sites are available on a first come/first served basis only. Hunting is not allowed within one-quarter mile of Dent Campground. Facilities include: a boat ramp, sun shelter, playground, full hook-up camp sites (water, electricity and sewer), sewer dump station, hot showers, picnic tables, grills, fish-cleaning stations. It accepts Golden Age/Golden Access passports. To get there: drive 19 miles north of Orofino on Wells Bench Rd.; located on the North River Bank of North Fork of the Clearwater River Mile 14.

Dent Acres Group Camp is open from May 1 through Sept. 30, or upon special request. Facilities include: a primitive campground available for large groups, vault toilets, sun shelter, picnic tables and fire rings. Reservations can be made by calling (877) 444-6777, or by visiting Reserve USA's web site at www.ReserveUSA.com. To get there, drive 18 miles north of Orofino on Wells Bench Rd.; located on the North River Bank of North Fork of the Clearwater River Mile 15.

Grandad is open spring through fall months, depending on weather and road conditions. Facilities include: a primitive campground with 12 sites, vault toilets, picnic tables, grills and boat ramp. To get there, drive east of Orofino to Headquarters - from Headquarters, there are two possible routes - drive 23 miles north on Silver Creek Road, or continue north 4 miles on Beaver Creek Road and take Grandad turnoff - there are many miles of gravel road and few signs; located on the North Fork of the Clearwater River Mile 40, South River Bank.

Merrys Bay is open spring through fall months, depending on weather and road conditions. Facilities include: a day use area, vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables. To get there, drive four miles north of Orofino on Eureka Ridge Rd. The access road is gravel and may be impassable during wet conditions; located on the North Fork of the Clearwater River Mile 2.5, South River Bank.

For updated water level and boat ramp information, call (800) 321-3198.

For more information regarding facilities access and current conditions, call Dworshak staff at (208) 476-1261, or stop by the visitor center, which is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reservations for the regular season can be made by calling (877) 444-6777, or by visiting Reserve USA's web site at http://www.reserveusa.com.

Make it a safe and happy holiday weekend for everybody. For more information about Walla Walla District's outdoor recreation opportunities, check out their web site at: www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors/.