Portland District News Releases

Willamette Valley reservoirs face drought, Army Corps to discuss at public meetings

Press Operations — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:11:00 GMT

Army water managers will hold two virtual information sessions on Tuesday, May 19, to discuss severe drought conditions and the summer forecast for the Willamette Valley’s 13 reservoirs. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, it is the sixth driest in terms of water year precipitation to-date since 1980 in the Willamette Valley. Low rainfall and snowpack have created widespread drought conditions across the region, impacting the efforts to refill the reservoirs and keep them full.

Public asked to help shape land use near four Willamette Valley lakes

Press Operations — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:45:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is holding public meetings and asking for input on a plan for land use around the Willamette Valley’s Fall Creek, Dexter, Lookout Point, and Hills Creek lakes.

Public comment period extended, additional public info session added for Detroit Reservoir deep drawdown, potential end to Willamette Valley hydropower

Press Operations — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:06:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Portland District is extending the public comment period by 15 days and adding an in-person information session in Stayton, Ore., for a draft study that considers changes to how the agency operates its Willamette Valley dams.

Public invited to comment on draft study of Detroit Reservoir deep drawdown, potential end to hydropower production

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:22:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Portland District is seeking public input on a draft study that considers changes to how the agency operates its Willamette Valley dams. This study – referred to as a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) –builds upon a six-year study completed in April 2025 and addresses new requirements regarding endangered fish and hydropower production that emerged shortly before the six-year study was finalized.

Corps of Engineers to explain current reservoir drawdowns at virtual public meeting

Press Operations — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 22:56:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a virtual public information session Thursday, Nov. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. to discuss plans to lower reservoir levels this fall at Cougar, Green Peter, Lookout Point, and Fall Creek reservoirs. The session will provide an overview of the reservoir drawdowns, the anticipated drawdown schedule, and how this year's operations differ from previous years. USACE experts will be on hand to answer questions and address community concerns.

Limited boat ramp availability at Willamette Valley reservoirs this fall and winter

Press Operations — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:29:41 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, urges boaters to confirm boat ramp

Reservoir drawdowns coming to Willamette Valley this fall, Detroit drawdown planned for 2026

Press Operations — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:29:00 GMT

This fall and winter, residents living near Cougar, Green Peter, Lookout Point, and Fall Creek reservoirs should expect lower water levels as part of an effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to support the recovery of endangered fish.

USACE releases official story map for Willamette Falls Locks

Press Operations — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:03:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, has unveiled the official story map for the Willamette Falls Locks, a historic navigation canal located in Oregon.

As Willamette Valley reservoir levels drop, USACE holds virtual info session

Press Operations — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 13:45:00 GMT

Responding to less-than-expected precipitation, the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is hosting a virtual information session this week regarding the Willamette Valley System’s (WVS) dams and reservoirs summer forecast.

Corps extends public comment period for ending hydropower production, deeper Detroit Reservoir drawdowns

Press Operations — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 20:52:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Portland District has extended the public comment period from June 6 to June 21 for its Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) focused on two new requirements related to the operations and maintenance of the Willamette Valley System of dams and reservoirs.

Corps of Engineers releases Final EIS for Willamette Valley dams

Press Operations — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 16:55:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District has released the Willamette Valley System Operations and Maintenance Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

Public invited to comment on future land use at Cottage Grove and Dorena reservoirs

Press Operations — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 23:36:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE), invites community members to participate in shaping the future of land management at Cottage Grove and Dorena reservoirs.

Public invited to share their voices on Foster and Green Peter Lakes Master Plan for Land Use

Press Operations — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 19:34:01 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE), invites community members to participate in shaping the future of land management at Foster and Green Peter Lakes.

USACE invites public to Willamette Valley reservoir levels info session

Press Operations — Thu, 23 May 2024 21:41:00 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 forecast for the Willamette Valley System (WVS) of dams and reservoirs.

Swim, paddle, relax: Dive into the summer secrets of seven Willamette Valley reservoirs

Press Operations — Wed, 22 May 2024 23:36:00 GMT

This Memorial Day weekend and continuing into the summer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' reservoirs in the Willamette Valley are overflowing with recreation opportunities for visitors of all ages.

Corps seeks public input for Willamette Valley hydropower report to Congress

Press Operations — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 19:09:00 GMT

The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will gather the public’s perspective and opinions on the future of hydropower across the Corps’ Willamette Valley system of dams during three listening sessions – one in-person and two virtual.

Corps assessing future of hydropower production in Willamette Valley

Press Operations — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 18:41:10 GMT

In two virtual public information sessions, the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will discuss the role of hydropower at their Willamette Valley dams, and how they’re answering Congress’ call to look at the future of that hydropower.

Corps advises recreation users check Willamette Valley boat ramp availability ahead of Labor Day weekend

Press Operations — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 20:02:41 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District advises boaters to check availability of boat ramps in the Willamette Valley ahead of the Labor Day weekend.

Corps to begin deep drawdowns at Green Peter, Lookout Point

Press Operations — Wed, 10 May 2023 16:47:30 GMT

Beginning in June, the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin to gradually drawdown Lookout Point and Green Peter reservoirs to historically low levels. The goal of these reservoir “drawdowns,” which are part of an injunction ordered by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, is to increase juvenile spring Chinook and steelhead survival and passage through the reservoirs and past the dams.

Corps to provide update on Willamette Valley reservoirs ahead of summer conservation season

Press Operations — Wed, 03 May 2023 18:18:00 GMT

After a historically dry start to the refill season, water managers with the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are now optimistic about refilling most Willamette Valley reservoirs after increased rainfall and snowmelt in April. To help explain the nuances of this water year, including refill and the conservation forecast, Corps staff will host a virtual public information session May 10, noon to 1 p.m., and May 11, 5-6 p.m.