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  3. Illia Dunes temporarily pooped out as WSU party spot

Illia Dunes temporarily pooped out as WSU party spot

Illia Dunes was closed in the last week of August 2012 due to health and safety concerns caused by visitors's trash. During the weekend before the Labor Day holiday weekend, more than 3,000 visitors descended upon the dunes, a popular recreation site located at Snake River Mile 102 on the south shoreline about three miles downstream of Lower Granite Lock and Dam. As result, enormous amounts of trash were scattered on the beach, broken bottles and beer cans left in the water, refuse strewn about the parking lots and litter discarded along the roadway, creating potential health and safety hazards for future visitors. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
Illia Dunes was closed in the last week of August 2012 due to health and safety concerns caused by visitors's trash. During the weekend before the Labor Day holiday weekend, more than 3,000 visitors descended upon the dunes, a popular recreation site located at Snake River Mile 102 on the south shoreline about three miles downstream of Lower Granite Lock and Dam. As result, enormous amounts of trash were scattered on the beach, broken bottles and beer cans left in the water, refuse strewn about the parking lots and litter discarded along the roadway, creating potential health and safety hazards for future visitors. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

PUBLIC LANDS -- This is bad news for the beginning of the college party season on the Snake River: 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers temporarily closed the Illia Dunes beach  and adjacent shallow waters today after routine water testing there showed elevated levels of fecal bacteria.

The area is a well know party spot for Washington State University students.

Additional water samples will be taken Monday to be tested again for fecal coliforms that pose a potential hazard to human health. The beach will remain closed until tests show that fecal bacteria levels do not exceed state and federal levels considered safe for people.

Boating and fishing continues to be allowed in nearby areas. Fish caught in waters near the swim beach should be thoroughly cleaned and fully cooked before eating.

Warning signs have been posted at the Illia Dunes.

Contact: Corps' Lower Granite Natural Resources Management Office in Clarkston, Wash.,  (509) 751-0240.

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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