Dworshak announces seasonal recreation changes

With summer recreation season coming to a close, Dworshak Dam and Reservoir’s Visitor Center hours of operation, boat ramp availability and camping reservation procedures have changed.

The visitor center will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting Sept. 2, and will be closed on federal holidays. Visitor tours are not offered during the Fall-Winter recreation season.

All campgrounds at Dworshak are open. Dent Acres offers 50 campsites with electric, water and sewer hookups, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Dent Acres campsites cost $10 per day, with self-deposit registration; Golden Age Senior or America the Beautiful Senior pass-holders receive a 50-percent discount.

All camping fees are waived for armed forces service members on mid- or post-deployment leave. Please present approved leave documents to a Corps park ranger or volunteer park attendant.

Looking ahead to next year’s Spring-Summer recreation season, remember that reservations for Dent Acres camping can be made up to six months in advance, and the group shelter can be reserved up to a year in advance. To make reservations, call 877-444-6777 or go online to www.recreation.gov.

All other camping areas, including minicamps, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Dworshak staff remind visitors that the reservoir is dropping about one foot per day, as reservoir outflows are used to help keep downstream rivers cool for migrating salmon and steelhead.

Remember when using mini-camps to leave extra line when tying off your vessel. The following boat ramps are open for use; Big Eddy, Bruce’s Eddy 1, Granddad, Dent Acres Park, Freeman Creek (Dworshak State Park). Please, check water level and current boat ramp information, by call 800-321-3198 or go online to www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nww/rreports.htm.

As always, safety is the Corps’ greatest concern—safety is everyone’s responsibility! Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind while having fun at Dworshak:

Changing weather conditions can create unsafe situations on open water. Know the weather and have a float plan.

Keep life jackets on children while on or around the water, and don’t let small children out of your sight.

Fire danger is present, so be careful with your campfire, and extinguish smoking materials.

Check the serviceability of your boat, and avoid drinking alcohol while boating.

Ensure proper fitting, accessible, and serviceable life vests are available for each occupant on your boat. Better yet, wear them!

Familiarize yourself with the area in which you will be boating before traveling at high speeds. There may be rocks, stumps, or shallow areas not visible from the surface.

For more information regarding facilities access and current conditions, call 208-476-1255 during business hours.

Chautauqua parade Aug. 2 will feature jugglers, clowns, and a marching band

 

 

The Chautauqua Festival coming to Orofino July 31 – Aug. 2 will include a parade that will march through downtown Orofino starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2. The parade will include jugglers, clowns, unicyclists, stilt-walkers and local community members who will march down Michigan Avenue to put on an “Everybody’s Welcome” parade to let the public know about Chautauqua’s arrival.

Following the parade the educators and entertainers of the Chautauqua Festival will provide an afternoon festival of workshops including juggling, magic, organic gardening, mask-making, clowning, bubble blowing, alternative energy, quilt making, samba drumming and dance.

The following workshops are scheduled (with the possibility of more to come):

3-5 p.m. - Water Color Painting with Janet Brewer

3-5 p.m. - Flint Knapping with Mike Tylzinski

3-30 p.m. - The History of Belly Dancing by Yazmin

3:30-4:30 p.m. - Performing Belly Dancers

4:30-5 p.m. - The Heritage of the Dulcimer - Barbara-Lee Jordan

4-5 p.m. The Essentials in Playing Bridge - Margaret Cook

4-4:30 p.m. Intro into Composting - Patrick Slater

The festival comes to town after a nearly 100 year absence, to honor Orofino local and longtime Chautauqua member Faith Petrick, who recently passed away.

That evening a Family Style Vaudeville Show will mark the closing of the festival and it will take place at the Orofino High School starting at 7 p.m. The cost for the show will be $10 per adults and $5 for children ages 11-18. Children 10 and under are admitted free of charge.

Tickets can be purchased at the following Orofino locations: The Real Estaters on Michigan Avenue, Orofino Chamber Of Commerce on First Street, AmericanWest Bank on Main Street, and Lewis Clark Credit Union on Johnson Avenue.

The Clearwater Community Concert Association, based in Orofino, is hosting this event as part of their community outreach program for the 2014-15 season.

For a complete list of events please visit the Chautauqua Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OrofinoChautauqua or email Kathy Pence at kathy@idahorealestaters.com or call 208-476-9428.

Orofino will welcome an amazing parade to its downtown streets during the Orofino Chautauqua Festival which will take place on July 31, to Aug. 3.

Please contact Kathy Pence at kathy@idahorealestaters.com or call 208-476-9428 for more information or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OrofinoChautauqua.