Portland District News Releases

Water managers to hold meeting as Rogue River Basin faces historically dry year

Press Operations — Wed, 06 May 2026 18:41:00 GMT

Water managers will hold two public information sessions May 18 to discuss historically low water levels in the Rogue River Basin. The experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) said the basin is currently on track for one of its worst years on record for water scarcity. Low rainfall and snowpack have created drought conditions for Lost Creek and Applegate lakes, creating challenges for refilling the basin’s two reservoirs ahead of the summer recreation season.

USACE begins $3.02 million repair of Rogue River South Jetty

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:42:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, has begun a $3,021,620 repair of the Rogue River South Jetty in Gold Beach, Oregon. The contractor, Suulutaqq Inc., will place approximately 5,000 tons of stone to ensure the long-term reliability of the navigation channel.

Corps Hosts Info Session for Rogue River Basin Water Management Missions

Press Operations — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:22:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invites the public to a hybrid information session to discuss the water management mission, current strategies and conservation season forecasts for the Rogue River Basin, focusing on Applegate and Lost Creek reservoirs.

USACE invites public to Rogue River Basin reservoir levels info session

Press Operations — Thu, 30 May 2024 23:07:00 GMT

Water managers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invite the public to an online information session to learn about the summer reservoir forecast for Lost Creek and Applegate lakes at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 6.

Corps Hosts Info Session for Rogue River Basin Water Levels

Press Operations — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 21:53:00 GMT

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water managers for the Rogue River Basin will hold a virtual information to provide an updated outlook on the summer conservation season for the basin.

9,200 buckets later, Corps dredging halfway complete at Gold Beach

Press Operations — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:37:34 GMT

A giant bucket – the size of a 1970s Volkswagen bus – swings through the air after it gobbles up 20 cubic yards of gravel blocking (shoaling-in) access to parts of the Port of Gold Beach, Ore. The small community on the southern coast, where the Rogue River meets the Pacific Ocean, doesn’t have much, but it has a port that sees upwards of 35,000 visitors per year for jet boat tours and averages 75-100 fishing boats a day, according to port officials.

Heat wave fuels needless drownings, boating deaths in Oregon

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:21:44 GMT

Drownings and boating-related deaths needlessly continue claiming lives in Oregon, recently fueled by a heat wave. The Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) reported 19 boating-related fatalities in 2021 and the Oregon Health Authority recorded 57 drownings in natural waters in 2020, which is 160% increase from 2019 (35 drownings). Life jackets may have prevented many of these deaths.

Corps to provide update on drastically improved water year for Rogue Basin

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 20:57:00 GMT

Army water managers for the Rogue River Basin will hold a public virtual information session June 8, 2-2:30 p.m., to share the improved summer conservation season outlook for the basin.

Corps facing historically dry year in Rogue River Basin

Press Operations — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 18:14:29 GMT

Army water managers for the Rogue River Basin will hold a virtual information session May 3, 3-4 p.m., to discuss challenges that are hampering efforts to refill the basin’s two reservoirs ahead of the summer conservation season.

Inspection confirms complaint of buried waste at Elk Creek Dam

Press Operations — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 18:09:33 GMT

Army technicians investigation confirms the presence of buried waste after a former contractor employee’s complaint with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), at Elk Creek Dam. Elk Creek Dam is 26 miles north of Medford, Ore., and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District published its site inspection report on Mar. 30, 2022. In it, the Portland District concluded it would need to investigate the site further to determine the full extent of contamination. There are potential impacts to ground and surface water in the area.

Corps awards $5 million contract for Rogue River dredging at Gold Beach

Press Operations — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 19:27:48 GMT

Army officials announce a $5.3 million contract award for dredging the Rogue River at Gold Beach, Ore. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) maintains navigation channels along the Oregon coast and dredging is an important component of keeping the Rogue River Harbor open for recreational vessels, including jet boats, fishing guides and sport fishermen.

Corps expects rain event to help fill low reservoirs

Press Operations — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 20:46:55 GMT

Army water managers expect an atmospheric river that’s dumping heavy rain in the Pacific Northwest will help refill some reservoirs this week. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) officials anticipate this event will help bring Blue River and Dorena reservoirs up to normal lake levels for this time of year.

Power disruption, aging infrastructure impact fish hatchery

Press Operations — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 17:30:00 GMT

The main electrical power feeder from Lost Creek Dam to the Cole M. Rivers Hatchery failed at the end of April 2021. Since then, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has been working to repair the line and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) staff have assisted as needed.

Parts of Lost Creek Lake recreation area temporarily close for logging

Press Operations — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 22:39:53 GMT

Upcoming timber harvest will close the Fire Glen Campground, as well as the Rogue River Trail between Lewis Road Trailhead and the Blue Grotto at Lost Creek Lake, October 15th – December 31st, 2021. The Viewpoint Mike trail will also be closed.

Rogue River Basin seeing poor water year - Corps holds virtual meeting

Press Operations — Mon, 24 May 2021 22:03:47 GMT

Southern Oregon and the Rogue River Basin are experiencing another dry spring as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District struggles to refill two reservoirs for the recreation season.

Corps anticipates insufficient water year

Press Operations — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 20:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District is anticipating an insufficient water year as it refills its 13 Willamette Valley and two Rogue River Basin reservoirs for the upcoming recreation season.

Corps, ODFW temporarily extend agreements for hatchery operations

Press Operations — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 14:33:08 GMT

Contract negotiations for hatchery operations in Oregon are going into overtime. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will extend its cooperative agreements with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) for up to 120 days, as the agencies continue negotiating contracts for the Corps’ fish hatchery services in the Columbia, Willamette and Rogue river basins. The current agreements, entered into in 2012, expire June 30, 2017.

Corps urges safety amid high Rogue River water levels

Press Operations — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is urging river users to take appropriate precautions as an elevated water release at William L. Jess Dam this week will result in higher water levels along the Rogue River.

Corps to host second annual Elk Creek Day May 6

Press Operations — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 22:31:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host its second annual Elk Creek Day at the Lower Elk Creek Trailhead May 6. The free event is open to the public and will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring numerous family-friendly outdoor activities for all ages and activity levels.

Riversedge Park now open for wedding and group reservations

Press Operations — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 23:26:50 GMT

Riversedge Park is a popular Corps of Engineers recreation area on the banks of the Rogue River just downstream from William Jess Dam and Lost Creek Lake. The park’s pavilion can now be reserved for group events, including weddings and wedding receptions.