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 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.

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

Corps opens public comment period for ending hydropower production, deeper Detroit reservoir drawdowns

Press Operations — Fri, 16 May 2025 18:29:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, is accepting public comments May 16 through June 6 as part of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).

Detroit Dam deep drawdown delayed until 2026 so Army Corps of Engineers can get public input

Press Operations — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:37:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE) will not perform a deep drawdown at Detroit Reservoir in the fall of 2025.

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.

Corps seeking public comment on proposed 30-year plan for Willamette Valley System

Press Operations — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 19:03:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland District (Corps) is asking for public feedback now through Jan. 19 on its proposed 30-year plan for the operation and maintenance of its system of 13 dams and reservoirs across the Willamette River Basin.

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 Finds No Significant Environmental Impact Reducing Detroit Dam’s Maximum Elevation Pool

Press Operations — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 18:10:11 GMT

The Portland District found no significant environmental impacts associated with reducing Detroit Dam’s Reservoir maximum pool elevation by five feet to curb the risk of a large earthquake causing the spillway gates to buckle.

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 considers plan to reduce Detroit Reservoir maximum pool elevation

Press Operations — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 23:31:10 GMT

Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers considers a plan to reduce Detroit Reservoir’s maximum pool elevation by five feet beginning this summer to reduce the likelihood of overstressing the spillway gates during a large earthquake, which might impact boat ramp access in some years.

Corps modifies operations to improve salmon passage at Detroit Dam

Press Operations — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 18:46:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is modifying operations at Detroit Dam to improve juvenile salmon downstream passage survival by releasing water exclusively through the upper regulating outlets when downstream passage rates are high.

Spillway gate rehab closes Detroit Dam road

Press Operations — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 16:55:00 GMT

A second season of rehabilitation of the Detroit Dam spillway gates begins Nov. 2, which will close the road on top of the dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers anticipates the work window and road closure to last through February 28, 2021.

Corps closes recreation areas due to Willamette Valley fires

Press Operations — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 18:39:00 GMT

Due to multiple fires burning throughout the Willamette Valley, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District is closing all of the recreation areas it manages near its dams.

The Corps begins refill at Detroit Dam during spillway gate construction

Press Operations — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 00:10:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District will begin refilling Detroit Dam reservoir up to an elevation of 1450 feet from now through Jan. 31. The Corps will continue spillway gate rehabilitation work on two of Detroit Dam’s spillway gates while refill begins.

Santiam reservoir levels expected to keep dropping

Press Operations — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 15:44:42 GMT

Detroit and Green Peter reservoirs on the North and Middle Santiam rivers are likely to recede below their minimum conservation elevations as early as next week.

Corps to host North Santiam fish project info sessions

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 22:23:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host two information sessions in late September to update North Santiam Basin businesses, residents and visitors about the status of efforts to help endangered fish species at Detroit Dam.