OLDTOWN, Idaho -- The Priest River Recreation Area “The Mudhole” is being repaved thanks to funding through the Federal Lands Transportation Program via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ officials at Albeni Falls Dam announced today.
The paving project includes removal and replacement of the road base as well as laying new asphalt and repainting parking stripes. Several large trees were also removed by a local contractor that had severely compromised the previous road due to root damage. Construction is slated to start in April and is expected to continue through mid-July, delaying opening of the recreation area from its historical opening date of the third weekend in May. The closure includes the campground, day use area, swim beach and boat ramp. During the closure, Corps staff is taking opportunity to refurbish several campsites to better address accessibility and accommodate today’s modern recreationalist.
“While we're disappointed this delayed opening is going to impact community members who enjoy camping, swimming and launching watercraft from the Mudhole, we’re also very excited to address a need at the recreation area that has been identified for several decades and frankly was becoming a safety hazard due to the deterioration in the pavement” says Taylor Johnson, Albeni Falls Dam Chief of Natural Resources. “We ask the public to be patient as we address this maintenance and consider visiting one of our several other recreation areas on the Pend Oreille River in the interim until we can reopen in mid-July.”
The 2024 recreation season will begin May 11 with the opening of Riley Creek Recreation Area. Albeni Cove and Springy Point Recreation Areas will open for the season May 18. Trestle Creek Recreation Area opened April 1.
The Corps is still soliciting volunteer camp hosts for the season. Please visit www.volunteer.gov for more information.
Public tours of the dam are available by appointment by calling 208-437-4617, the Albeni Falls Dam Visitor Center will be open seven days per week starting Memorial Day Weekend.
Campsites at Albeni Cove, Priest River, Riley Creek, and Springy Point Recreation Areas are available by reservation only, online or by phone, at www.recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. The Natural Resource staff at Albeni Falls Dam invite you to safely enjoy our recreation areas on Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River and hope to see you in 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Taylor Johnson
Chief, Natural Resources
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Seattle District
Albeni Falls Dam
208-437-3133
Taylor.m.johnson@usace.army.mil