Paving to begin soon at 'The Mudhole'

PRIEST RIVER — The Mudhole is getting a facelift.

The Priest River Recreation Area, more commonly known as the Mudhole, is being repaved thanks to funding through the Federal Lands Transportation Program via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Albeni Falls Dam.

The paving project includes the removal and replacement of the road base as well as laying new asphalt and repainting parking stripes. As part of the project, several large trees were removed because they had severely compromised the previous road due to root damage. 

Corps officials said construction is slated to start in April and, with work continuing until mid-July, the recreation area won't open on its historical opening date of the third weekend in May. 

The closure includes the campground, day-use area, swim beach, and boat ramp. During the closure, Corps staff is taking the opportunity to refurbish several campsites to better address accessibility and accommodate today’s modern recreationalists.

“While we're disappointed this delayed opening is going to impact community members who enjoy camping, swimming and launching watercraft from the Mudhole, we’re also very excited to address a need at the recreation area that has been identified for several decades and frankly was becoming a safety hazard due to the deterioration in the pavement,” said Taylor Johnson, Albeni Falls Dam Chief of Natural Resources. “We ask the public to be patient during this maintenance project and consider visiting one of our several other recreation areas on the Pend Oreille River in the interim until we can reopen in mid-July.”

The 2024 recreation season will begin May 11 with the opening of Riley Creek Recreation Area, Corps officials said. In addition, the Albeni Cove and Springy Point recreation areas will open for the season May 18. Trestle Creek Recreation Area opens April 1.

As part of the recreation season, Corps officials said public tours of the dam are available by appointment by calling 208-437-4617. The Albeni Falls Dam Visitor Center will be open seven days per week starting Memorial Day Weekend.

Campsites at Albeni Cove, Priest River, Riley Creek, and Springy Point Recreation Areas are available by reservation only, online, or by phone, at recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777.