Corps is watching for trouble near Pomeroy

By Terry Murry on Friday, September 2nd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

POMEROY – The Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reminding anyone visiting Illia Dunes or Granite Point on the Snake River near Pomeroy to recreate responsibly. In recent years, large groups of visitors – mostly college-aged – have converged on those areas over Labor Day weekend often leaving trash and creating safety hazards for other visitors.

A permanent alcohol ban is now in effect at Granite Point. This change is designed to enhance public safety and increase the overall recreational quality of the site. Cliff jumping or diving is not allowed at Granite Point or other USACE properties. Visitors cannot see underwater obstructions and risk serious injury and death.

Parking is restricted to nearby USACE parking lots only. Illia Dunes parking is limited to a total of about 120 cars and Granite Point is limited to a total of 16 cars.

No glass containers are allowed. USACE provides free trash bags for visitors to use for “pack it in, pack it out” trash removal. People are asked to use the trash bags and put filled trash bags into on-site garbage receptacles.

USACE staff will continue to monitor how well visitors keep glass containers off the beach, consume alcohol responsibly, use provided restrooms, and enjoy their visit without violating laws or posted notices. Proper behavior will determine future public use of these areas.