USACE gets its goats
By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 3rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers brings in a herd of goats to remove weeds and other vegetation growing on levees that border the creek shoreline from the Mill Creek diversion dam downstream to the metal division works foot bridge near the office. They arrive today (Thursday).
The first phase of grazing will be on the south levee starting at the dam at Rooks Park. Dogs are required to be leashed on both sides of the creek while goats are working on the levee as electrified fence is used to establish the goats’ boundaries. There will be signs and extra patrols of park rangers to ensure that rule is being followed.
Visitors and their dogs can play in the water downstream of the metal division works foot bridge or at Bennington Lake. Dog owners are also required to have a leash for their dogs when in the area. The temporary rule simply means that instead of carrying a leash, a person has to actually use it.
Once the work around the levees is done, the goats will clear underbrush around Yellowhawk and Garrison creeks as well as the diversion dam levee. In addition, if flows in Mill Creek allow, the goats will remove the invasive reed canary grass around the debris barrier upstream of the diversion dam.
The temporary leash rule will be in effect for about four weeks, based on past years’ grazing work. The goats are provided by Petty Family Goats of Pomeroy. Visitors should not attempt to approach the goats or working dogs. Young goats will be present and both the ewes and working dogs are protective.
The grazing is done to allow the USACE to better inspect the area during potential flood events.
File photo of goats grazing at Mill Creek
