Willamette Falls Locks
The Willamette Falls Locks Authority was established in 2021 to assume ownership, oversight, and long-term management of the Willamette Falls Locks. Its mission is to return the Locks to operational status, restoring navigability on the Willamette River for commercial, transportation, recreational, cultural, historic, heritage, and tourism purposes. The Authority is seeking to transfer ownership of the Locks from the US Army Corps of Engineers by 2027.
The City of West Linn is a key partner and financial contributor to the Authority, supporting the effort to reopen the Locks and reconnect communities along the river.
The Willamette Falls Locks Authority is an independent public corporation with a statewide mission and scope, operating without territorial boundaries. It functions as a governmental entity, carrying out governmental duties and exercising public powers. However, unless specifically stated by law, the Authority is not considered a local or municipal government unit, nor is it a state agency under state statutes or constitutional provisions.
