| CHARTER MEMBERS |
“Boating in Walla Walla? Where? How?” The image of sailboats, water skiers,
powerboats, wind surfers, and jet skis in the midst of wheat fields doesn't seem
compatible. Yet, 35 miles west of Walla Walla, and about 30 miles south of the
Tri-Cities, is some of the best boating that southeastern Washington can offer.
Our small boating club is south of the confluence of the Snake and Columbia
Rivers, and just a few miles below the mouth of the Walla Walla River. Local
fishermen find excellent fishing holes near the club as depths range from less
than 20 feet deep outside the breakwater to over 150 feet deep less than half a
mile downriver by the Port Kelley grain elevators.
powerboats, wind surfers, and jet skis in the midst of wheat fields doesn't seem
compatible. Yet, 35 miles west of Walla Walla, and about 30 miles south of the
Tri-Cities, is some of the best boating that southeastern Washington can offer.
Our small boating club is south of the confluence of the Snake and Columbia
Rivers, and just a few miles below the mouth of the Walla Walla River. Local
fishermen find excellent fishing holes near the club as depths range from less
than 20 feet deep outside the breakwater to over 150 feet deep less than half a
mile downriver by the Port Kelley grain elevators.
| Original site on the Walla Walla River This photo appeared in the Walla Walla Union Bulletin, July 3, 1955. |
An old Club letterhead, circa 1970
This part of the Columbia River is called Lake Wallula (McNary Dam reservoir)
with an area 60 miles long and up to 2 miles wide. Here is Wallula Gap on which
Lewis and Clark traveled in their journey to the Pacific Ocean. We are without
challenge located at the best sailing area on the reservoir. Situated away from
any commerce, only a road and railroad behind the club remind you that there is
civilization nearby. There is little boating traffic except for tugs with barges and
occasional tour boats.
In 1947 the future Walla Walla Yacht Club boaters gathered on only the open
shores of the Columbia River in the Wallula Gap area. By 1949 dreams to build
a yacht club began. A site up the Walla Walla River was located for dry land
construction of pilings and docks - and approved by the Corps of Engineers. In
February 1951 the club made a successful bid on a 80’x 72’ two-story surplus
barracks built on a barge which was to become the first clubhouse. Tidewater
Shaver Barge Company towed the barge thirty miles up the river from McNary
damsite and anchored it 5 miles downstream from the proposed club site that
August. When the pool level reached 330 feet the clubhouse would complete
its journey and be set in place.
with an area 60 miles long and up to 2 miles wide. Here is Wallula Gap on which
Lewis and Clark traveled in their journey to the Pacific Ocean. We are without
challenge located at the best sailing area on the reservoir. Situated away from
any commerce, only a road and railroad behind the club remind you that there is
civilization nearby. There is little boating traffic except for tugs with barges and
occasional tour boats.
In 1947 the future Walla Walla Yacht Club boaters gathered on only the open
shores of the Columbia River in the Wallula Gap area. By 1949 dreams to build
a yacht club began. A site up the Walla Walla River was located for dry land
construction of pilings and docks - and approved by the Corps of Engineers. In
February 1951 the club made a successful bid on a 80’x 72’ two-story surplus
barracks built on a barge which was to become the first clubhouse. Tidewater
Shaver Barge Company towed the barge thirty miles up the river from McNary
damsite and anchored it 5 miles downstream from the proposed club site that
August. When the pool level reached 330 feet the clubhouse would complete
its journey and be set in place.
| Original club layout, circa 1953 |
| A beavy of Boating Beauties |
| Current site of club as it was in 1966 |
| Gassing up |
| Current photo of club on a breezy day |
All members turned out one day in April 1952 to clean, paint, and remodel the new
clubhouse. By January 1953 the lease was approved and problem solving for ramps,
parking facilities, pilings, and docks began. The $7000 job was completed with only $186 in
cash and the rest by donated labor and equipment. Finally, it was time to move the
clubhouse in October. It took two attempts to get the “clubhouse barge” afloat, as winds on
the first day provided too much resistance for the 10 small boats that tried to guide it into
place.
However, WWYC was not to stay in that first location. By 1964 the sedimentation at the
mouth of the Walla Walla River made necessary a move downstream to statute mile 312 on
the Columbia River. At that time an official request was made to the Corps of Engineers to
move to the Port Kelley site, just slightly further down river. Again members joined together
to relocate docks and boathouses, sink pilings, and prepare grounds. Then a new one-
story floating clubhouse was built for the members to use. That clubhouse remains in use
today.
clubhouse. By January 1953 the lease was approved and problem solving for ramps,
parking facilities, pilings, and docks began. The $7000 job was completed with only $186 in
cash and the rest by donated labor and equipment. Finally, it was time to move the
clubhouse in October. It took two attempts to get the “clubhouse barge” afloat, as winds on
the first day provided too much resistance for the 10 small boats that tried to guide it into
place.
However, WWYC was not to stay in that first location. By 1964 the sedimentation at the
mouth of the Walla Walla River made necessary a move downstream to statute mile 312 on
the Columbia River. At that time an official request was made to the Corps of Engineers to
move to the Port Kelley site, just slightly further down river. Again members joined together
to relocate docks and boathouses, sink pilings, and prepare grounds. Then a new one-
story floating clubhouse was built for the members to use. That clubhouse remains in use
today.
Walla Walla Yacht Club
History of the Yacht Club
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