The closure is necessary to maintain required water levels downstream of Merwin Dam
ARIEL – PacifiCorp will be closing the Swift Forest Camp boat ramp on the Lewis River from September 30, 2025, to May 2026. The closure is necessary to maintain required water levels downstream of Merwin Dam. As water levels at the Swift Reservoir will be drawn down, boat owners are advised to remove their boats before the closure begins.
Additionally, Speelyai Park boat ramp remains closed and Cresap Park boat ramp is scheduled to close on September 30, limiting access to Merwin Reservoir until reservoir refilling is complete. Based on current water inflows, PacifiCorp anticipates reopening the Speelyai Park boat ramp on October 4, once the Merwin Reservoir reaches a safe water elevation for boat launching and retrieval. Yale Park boat ramp will remain open for boater access to Yale Reservoir.
Beginning October 4, PacifiCorp expects that both Speelyai Park and Yale Park boat ramps will remain available for use unless otherwise announced.
- Battle Ground shooting suspect arrested, second suspect still outstanding
Theodore Seaman, 44, was arrested for Drive-By Shooting; a second suspect fled on foot and has not been located. - High school football: Odd schedule leads to early start to league play in 4A GSHL
The 4A GSHL’s six-game schedule forces all four teams to play each other twice, a first since 2015. - High school football: Skyview takes down Camas for first win in rivalry since 2011
Adarius Sparrow caught three touchdown passes, including two in the fourth quarter, to seal Skyview’s 38-21 win over Camas. - Camas School District Legislative Advocacy Committee to host Candidate Forum
Six candidates from two federal and state districts will answer education questions at Discovery High School on Oct. 5. - Vehicle drives into Camas townhouse
A vehicle backing into a parking stall jumped a curb and struck a Camas townhouse, causing extensive damage but no injuries. - Business profile: Cowlitz Indian Tribe now running the steakhouse at ilani, ‘Sovereign’
Sovereign, the new fine-dining steakhouse at ilani, marks a major milestone in the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s move toward self-operating all restaurants at the casino. - Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Amtrak’s 300-passenger Airo trains debut Sept. 30 on Cascades route, adding seats but not speed or frequency.