EPHRATA - Grant County PUD commissioners learned that it would be the end of May or early June before they know what caused the crack in the Wanapum Dam spillway.

PUD staff told commissioners they have eight goals to returning the dam to regular operation and water levels in the reservoir to their normal levels.

The first goal, to stabilize the cracked spillway monolith, is done. PUD staff was able to do that by lowering the water level of the Wanapum Reservoir from 571 to 545 feet shortly after discovering the crack in February.

Consultants and engineers from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission were at the dam on March 27 and 28 to work on the second step, to investigate the root cause.

Next, PUD staff will work to raise the Wanapum reservoir to minimum operating levels. After that they will work on fish passage and recreation site closures, according to the report given to commissioners.

During Tuesday's PUD meeting, Ellensburg resident Pat Kelleher asked for more understanding as to why boat ramps and other recreation sites that are above Wanapum reservoir's high-water mark are still closed to the public.

"The land is dry down there and the sites are above the high-water mark, so I can't understand why I can't park at the boat launches and walk in the grass," he said.

PUD General Manager Tony Webb said they have closed the parking areas around the reservoir to prevent people from going to the beach areas to collect culturally sensitive items.

"That really doesn't make sense to me. I own a convenience store and to stop shoplifters I don't close the entire store," he said.

"I am willing to take that criticism. We have the responsibility to protect the shoreline," Webb said.

Commission President Bob Bernd added the lowered water levels have revealed "entire cemeteries, not just one or two remains," he said and the PUD must protect those artifacts. He said the commission will revisit the recreations site closures when it is appropriate.