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.

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

Road NF-1993 across Cougar Dam closed this summer for construction

Press Operations — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 17:54:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will close both lanes of Road NF-1993 across Cougar Dam, Apr. 15 to Sept. 30.

Road NF-1993 across Cougar Dam closed for construction

Press Operations — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:57:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will close both lanes of Road NF-1993 across Cougar Dam, Mar. 18 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Road NF-1993 across Cougar Dam closed for construction

Press Operations — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 16:54:42 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will close the portion of Road NF-1993 that runs along the crest of Cougar dam to traffic in both directions, from June 5 to Sept. 28. The road will reopen Sept. 29.

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.

Corps extends public comment period for proposed Willamette Valley System 30-year plan

Press Operations — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 19:03:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland District (Corps) has extended the deadline from Jan. 19 to Feb. 23 for public feedback on its proposed 30-year plan for the operation and maintenance of 13 dams and reservoirs across the Willamette River Basin.

Delayed refill at Corps reservoirs to impact boating, recreation

Press Operations — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 18:03:05 GMT

Army water managers will delay refilling Cougar and Fall Creek reservoirs and conduct spill operations at Foster Dam as required by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon’s Willamette Valley injunction because of recent litigation. The delay at Cougar and Fall Creek will impact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) ability to refill the reservoirs to their normal summer levels, which will impact boating and recreation activities.

Oregon Corps projects get $146 million for aging infrastructure

Press Operations — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:17:17 GMT

Army Engineers and planners will receive $146 million for various infrastructure projects at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) sites around Oregon. This funding came from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

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 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, utilities restore power to McKenzie River area after Holiday Farm Fire

Press Operations — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 20:02:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and several utilities successfully bring reliable power to the McKenzie River, Oregon area using Cougar Dam, Oct. 6. Lane Electric, Petersen Cat, Bonneville Power Administration and the Corps worked to “island” Blue River with the nearby dam.

Reservoir drawdowns, dam construction impact McKenzie River recreation

Press Operations — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:28:00 GMT

Increased water releases from Cougar and Blue River dams will limit access to some recreation opportunities in those areas. The McKenzie River will also have higher than normal flows as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reduces reservoir levels behind the dams to support maintenance and rehabilitation of the structures’ spillway gates.

Caution to boaters - Reservoir drawdowns to impact flows on McKenzie River

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 19:07:00 GMT

The Oregon State Maine Board and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are alerting boaters to expect higher water levels due to drawdowns on Cougar and Blue River reservoirs that feed into the McKenzie River.

Corps continues field studies at Willamette Valley dams

Press Operations — Tue, 23 May 2017 17:15:00 GMT

A drill crew will soon be on site at Cougar Dam, east of Eugene, Oregon, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues field investigation at some dams in the Willamette Valley. The crews will also install instrumentation on the crest of Cougar Dam. The drilling and installation will require the eastbound lane across the dam to be closed intermittently. These closures will be from May 30 to June 13 between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., reducing traffic to one lane.

Valley reservoirs full now, early drawdown will lower levels

Press Operations — Mon, 22 May 2017 19:30:00 GMT

Above average rainfall this spring has nearly filled the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ reservoirs in the Willamette Valley. Reservoirs are about 99 percent full as the region begins plans for summer recreation. Most reservoirs will follow the normal management schedule, however, some will experience early drawdowns: Hills Creek, Cougar and Blue River reservoirs.

Corps performs field studies at Willamette Valley dams

Press Operations — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 16:33:00 GMT

Construction crews are on site at Hills Creek Dam as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins field investigation at some of its dams. The investigations at Hills Creek, Cougar and Lookout Point dams will give the Corps additional information to better understand conditions within the dams and in their foundations.

Corps to lower Cougar Reservoir for temperature control tower repairs

Press Operations — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 20:11:06 GMT

The Corps will lower Cougar Reservoir to about 80 feet below its usual winter elevation to allow for urgent debris removal and repairs in Cougar Dam’s temperature control tower.

Cougar Reservoir going deep this week

Press Operations — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:07:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is performing a “deep drawdown” of Cougar Reservoir this week, lowering the reservoir’s surface to 1,500 feet above sea level to test a possible method of improving downstream fish passage past Cougar Dam.