In an October 28, 2009 article, the Oregonian reported that Congress has "approved more than $900,000 to keep the 136-year-old facility open. The bill, signed Wednesday by President Barack Obama, will reserve $230,000 for minimal seasonal operations. ... [This is in addition to] federal stimulus money [which] provided the $1.8 million necessary to complete the inspection and repairs."

The locks opened in 1873, and "For a few decades, steamboats and barges dominated Willamette Valley commercial traffic, using the multichambered lock system. When trains overtook commercial river transportation, the locks became less essential....Log booms went through the locks for years, but pleasure boats had become the major customer before the locks were closed in January 2008."

"Officials who lobbied heavily for the reopening see it as a way to provide jobs and revive an area ready for commerce. If the locks are reliable and kept in good condition, companies may consider using them again, said U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore. 'There is a big overwhelming interest on the part of Congress to help support local communities' economic development, and this is an opportunity for huge development,' Schrader said."

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