June 3, 2024 3:40 a.m.

Covering coastal Douglas County:

The Douglas County Parks Department is providing an update on the temporary closure of the Windy Cove crab and fishing dock on Salmon Harbor Drive in Winchester Bay.

A County release said the dock was closed on February 1st, due to structural damage caused by a large log that got entangled in the pilings during a high-water event in January.

The dock was determined to be structurally unsafe and a public hazard by professional engineers hired to do the initial damage assessment, which prompted the Parks Department to close it.

The department has applied for an emergency “in-water” permit from the Army Corps of Engineers that is required to make the necessary repairs. The ACOE has indicated that this is a straightforward repair and is committed to issuing a permit promptly after the required 60-day review period, provided that other regulatory agencies it needs to consult with have no concerns. This timeline is a best-case scenario and is subject to change due to any delays the regulatory agencies may incur completing their respective permit reviews.

The release said an engineering firm has been hired to develop engineered plans for the necessary repairs, with plans expected to be completed in the coming weeks. As soon as the permit is issued, the project will then be put out for bid with a goal of completing the necessary repairs sometime this summer. The current cost estimate to repair the dock is $200,000.

During the closure, the department recommends Dock 9 near the west boat launch in Salmon Harbor for crabbing without a boat. In addition, some fishermen have reported success using fishing pole crab traps from the jetties and riverbanks.

While the dock is closed, the surrounding parking lot, day-use area, and beach access at Windy Cove County Park remain open.

For more information on Douglas County Parks, go to: https://douglascountyor.gov/802/Parks