Keller Ferry re-opens again

CLARK – The Keller Ferry, also known as M/V Sanpoil, re-opened Wednesday, Aug. 4 around 5 p.m. after being shut down for four days for repairs.

The ferry had previously opened July 29. That lasted about two days before the ferry was shut down again Saturday, July 31 due to more mechanical issues with no timetable for re-opening. Before the July 29 short opening, the ferry was shut down for 20 days for more repairs.

Drivers from Lincoln County heading north had to take alternate routes via Highway 174, Highway 155 and/or Highway 25.

"The Captain noticed a vibration coming from the engine. It's unrelated to the rudder issue that was recently addressed," the state Dept. of Transportation East division Twitter account wrote Saturday. "Out an abundance of caution the Captain made the decision to remove the vessel from service to have it inspected. A technician is being scheduled."

Colville Tribal members had reportedly informed Gov. Jay Inslee of the importance of the ferry for tribal members to access medical appointments and escape wildfires. Inslee had visited the reservation in July amidst three wildfires, two of which threatened the town of Nespelem.

The ferry, located 15 miles north of Wilbur, links Lincoln County across Lake Roosevelt to Ferry County and the Colville Reservation via Highway 21. It previously shut down in March due to high winds and blowing dust.

WSDOT estimates that 60,000 vehicles per year rely on the service to cross Lake Roosevelt from the reservation to Lincoln County and back.