Douglas PUD tackles trail construction connecting Pateros parks

PATEROS – Work began last month on a project that will add more walking trail and viewing area for park users along the Columbia River. A plan introduced by the Douglas County PUD last year is now underway to create a quarter-mile trail connecting Memorial Park with Ives Landing Park.

Douglas PUD Public Information Officer Meaghan Vibbert confirmed that a crew from KRCI, an East Wenatchee construction firm, is busy removing a few trees and other obstacles along the riverbank behind the city administration building and Pateros Motel east to the boundary of Ives Landing.

The work is part of the Wells Project Recreation Management Plan (RMP), a FERC (Federal Regulatory Energy Commission) license requirement for the Wells Hydroelectric Project (Wells Dam). Included with Pateros are similar projects for Brewster, Bridgeport Bar, Cassimer Bar, and Bridgeport. Regarding the latter, Douglas PUD completed a riverwalk trail from the Conklin Landing RV Park along the Columbia to the Bridgeport Marina Park earlier this year.

The RMP specifies that Douglas PUD must install wildlife viewing enhancement facilities within the Wells Project boundary that includes Pateros, Brewster, and Bridgeport. The Wells Overlook Interpretative Center exhibits and trail completed at the dam in 2017, is also part of the RMP.

Douglas PUD consulted with wildlife managers and city officials to determine what measures will most effectively meet the ends specified by the RMP. Based on that feedback the utility designed a proposal to enhance wildlife viewing in conjunction with viewing trails. Signage such as wildlife kiosks are part of a later phase of the project.

The Pateros trail project is expected to be completed by the end of this month.