The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

STARBUCK - The second annual Swim the Snake swim will take place at 11 a.m. on August 9 across the Snake River from the former Lyons Ferry State Park site to the Lyons Ferry Marina. This challenging open-water event, which gives participants the opportunity to swim the scenic Snake River, serves as a fundraiser for the Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council, the Dayton Swim Team and the Pomeroy Swim Team.

Lyon's Ferry Park has been closed due to water quality issues concerning elevated levels of E-coli in the water. Organizers are working closely with health officials to get up-todate information. In the event that a new water test on Friday continues to show elevated levels of bacteria, organizers will work with officials to find an alternate entry point for the swim.

The recreational swim (not a race!) is open to anyone 10 years old and up. Participants under the age of 15 must swim with a designated adult at all times. The $30 entry fee includes a T-shirt, swim cap (required) and return transportation to parking on the north side of the river. All swimmers must sign a waiver to participate the event that is monitored by the Columbia County Sheriff's Department, Franklin County Sheriff's Department, the Corp of Engineers and the US Coast Guard will monitor this event. Volunteers patrol the course in kayaks, paddleboards and canoes to serve as lookouts and provide guidance.

Complete information as well as a packet with registration and a waiver may be found at https://sites.google.com/site/swimthesnake/home.