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.

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

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.

Corps considers future changes that may impact Willamette Valley System operations, maintenance

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 17:17:04 GMT

Army engineers and planners are considering major changes that may impact the continued operations and maintenance of the Willamette Valley System (WVS). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) staff continue developing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for WVS operations and maintenance in accordance with authorized project purposes, while meeting Endangered Species Act (ESA) obligations to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of listed species.

Corps developing long-term plans for Cottage Grove and Dorena lakes, wants public input

Press Operations — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 19:42:11 GMT

The land-use plan (Master Plan or MP) for Cottage Grove and Dorena lakes is out-of-date, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is in the process of updating it. Corps staff are seeking input from the public on MP development during four upcoming information sessions.

We … want … a shrubbery … or some volunteers to plant shrubberies

Press Operations — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:42:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites volunteers who aren’t afraid of the “Knights who say Ni” or shrubberies (Monty Python and the Holy Grail movie reference) to help it celebrate National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 25.

Drought, lack of measurable rain drains Willamette Valley reservoirs - Corps hosts info session

Press Operations — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 22:17:42 GMT

Nearly 50 days without measurable rain, combined with hot, dry conditions, has made reservoir levels in the Willamette Valley the lowest in six years. Additionally, forecasts are not predicting enough precipitation to alleviate the ongoing drought in the Pacific Northwest. To help the public understand the conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District will host an info session Thursday, Aug. 5th from 12-1 p.m. to update the public about lake levels and recreation opportunities in its 13 Willamette Valley reservoirs.

Plant a tree, camp for free

Press Operations — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 20:06:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites volunteers to roll up their sleeves and devote Sept. 24 to planting trees and shrubs and improving parks at Cottage Grove Reservoir. The event supports National Public Lands Day--the nation’s largest annual, single-day volunteer restoration effort for America’s public lands.

Construction to begin in Lakeside Park

Press Operations — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:09:01 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is removing old, deteriorating restrooms at Cottage Grove Reservoir's Lakeside Park and replacing them with more efficient vault-style toilets.

Cottage Grove pool hosts Water Safety Play Day

Press Operations — Thu, 22 May 2014 20:57:00 GMT

The Warren H. Daugherty Aquatic Center in Cottage Grove, Ore., will host a Water Safety Play Day Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn about swimming and boating safety through a variety of fun activities at this free event.

Corps seeks comments on environmental assessment of Creswell water supply proposal

Press Operations — Tue, 06 May 2014 16:53:10 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comment on its draft environmental assessment of a proposal to supply 437 acre-feet of surplus water to the City of Creswell, Ore.

Cottage Grove pool hosts Water Safety Play Day

Press Operations — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:02:00 GMT

The Warren H. Daugherty Aquatic Center in Cottage Grove, Ore., will host a Water Safety Play Day Saturday, May 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children and their parents can learn about swimming and boating safety through a variety of fun activities at this free event.

Corps seeks information about Cottage Grove Lake tree vandalism

Press Operations — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:55:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners are seeking information from the public about the vandalism of about 20 trees near the western shoreline of Cottage Grove Lake in the vicinity of 75200 London Road, Cottage Grove, Ore., in May 2012.

Corps to double Dorena Dam water releases

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:05:00 GMT

Residents and visitors near Dorena Dam and Reservoir should be alert for higher water releases from the dam over the next few days, resulting in higher Row River flows and more rapid lowering of reservoir water levels.

Construction to impact Lakeside Boat Ramp access

Press Operations — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 21:19:00 GMT

Construction will reduce or deny access to Lakeside Boat Ramp at Cottage Grove Reservoir Sept. 25-28, 2012.