Vandals plug sewer; Mill Creek, Columbia still 'no water contact'

Oh the mysteries Mill Creek holds. This gorgeous clear creek has often been sullied by the backend of our local population through the years. This time, however, vandals needlessly brought a sewer spill that has now run to the ocean. Lewis and Clark called the creek "Que-nett Creek", a name for salmon trout.

From Oregon Geographic Names: “When the government decided to establish Fort Dalles, an officer was sent to build a sawmill to be operated by mule power. Upon his arrival, he found a small waterpower site and built a mill on this stream, now known as Mill Creek, just north of the present site of the bridge on 9th Street.” Fort Dalles was established in 1850.

From The City of The Dalles:

On Friday, September 23, a City of The Dalles Wastewater Collection crew conducted a routine weekly inspection at the manhole at the 9th Street Bridge over Mill Creek.

They found the lock had been broken and vandals had thrown rocks and concrete pieces into the manhole, causing a plugged sewer pipe. Sewage overflowed directly into Mill Creek and into the Columbia River. The sewer pipe was cleared and the pipe was repaired on the day the problem was found.

No more sewage is overflowing.

Out of an abundance of caution, signs will remain in place at locations of public river access on the Oregon shore of the Columbia River, from The Dalles Riverfront Park to the West Mayer Park boat launch. The signs say “Warning - Contaminated Water - No water contact” and give phone numbers to call for information. These signs will remain in place at least until Thursday, September 29, 2022, to allow time for water quality testing.

For information about Washington shore public river access, contact the Klickitat County Health Department at (509) 493-1558.

For updates go to the City website thedalles.org