UPDATE 6-14-19

Lake Owyhee State Park has reopened. County crews have finished clearing landslide debris from the access road, allowing access to the park. 

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ORIGINAL RELEASE TEXT

Multiple landslides caused by heavy rains during the evening hours of June 12 have covered the sole access road to Lake Owyhee State Park, prompting the park’s closure until further notice.

The park’s access road, Owyhee Lake Road, will be closed to visitors while Malheur County road crews work to clear slide debris and assess road conditions. The slides are covering the road in multiple locations, starting about ½ mile north of the dam and continuing south towards to the park.  

For current information about road conditions, contact Malheur County officials:

• Wess Allison, Malheur County Nyssa Road Dept. (below dam): 541-372-2632
• Dave Tifney, Malheur County Road Dept. (above dam): 541-473-5191

Park staff have been in contact with the approximately 80 day-use and overnight visitors in the park. Park staff are asking visitors to remain in the park until county officials send word that the road is cleared and safe for visitors to use.

As of this release, there have been no reported injuries or medical concerns among park visitors. There is no damage to park facilities or structures from the landslides; access to potable water, electricity and restrooms is unaffected.  

More information about the park, including maps and directions, is on oregonstateparks.org.

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Note for editors: Lake Owyhee State Park is in a remote area; cell phone service is intermittent. Subsequent updates will be published as access to the park is improved.