Oneida boat ramp at Deep River open for fishing access to Columbia River

VANCOUVER, Wash. - The long-standing Oneida public boat launch at Deep River has been repaired after winter damage and has been re-opened to the public since May. The site had been closed for several months after a December 2007 winter storm damaged the dock.

"This launch site continues to provide an excellent option for anglers to access the Columbia River for fishing and is particularly popular during the summer sturgeon season," said Guy Norman, regional director for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "It is also used by commercial fishermen to access the Columbia and Deep rivers."

WDFW leased an unimproved site earlier this year for boat access at Deep River in response to the closure of the Oneida launch. An earlier news release was in error when it reported that the Oneida launch remained closed.

The Oneida launch, owned by Dr. Robert and Susan Player, provides a paved ramp, dock and parking for up to 130 boat trailers. The ramp began as a personal boat launch site for Susan Player's father and family decades ago and was eventually turned into a public access site after the family received interest from others looking for convenient access to the Columbia River.