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

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.

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.

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 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.

Fall Creek Adult Fish Facility – Improving eFishencies

Press Operations — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 02:05:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report a record return of more than 800 spring chinook salmon this year at Fall Creek Dam.

Fall Creek Dam getting new fish facility

Press Operations — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 18:28:52 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. – Construction crews are rebuilding Fall Creek Dam’s Adult Fish Collection Facility southeast of Eugene, Oregon. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is doing this to meet requirements of the 2008 Willamette Project biological opinions to support the safe collection and transport of wild spring Chinook and winter steelhead upstream of the dam.

Construction to close Fall Creek North Shore boat ramp

Press Operations — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 16:42:00 GMT

The North Shore Park and Boat Ramp at Fall Creek Reservoir will be closed from September 2015 through as late as June 2016 due to construction.

Corps seeks comments on Fall Creek fish facility

Press Operations — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 22:11:50 GMT

The Corps is seeking public comments on its draft environmental assessment of the proposed Fall Creek Dam and Reservoir Adult Fish Facility Upgrade.

Corps seeks comments on Fall Creek drawdown

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 17:27:47 GMT

The Corps is seeking public comments on its draft environmental assessment of downstream fish enhancements for juvenile salmonids at Fall Creek Dam east of Eugene, Ore.

Fall Creek Reservoir to "go deep" again this week

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:43:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers alerts neighbors and visitors to Fall Creek Reservoir that the Corps plans to lower the reservoir’s water level well below normal winter levels this week to assist the downstream passage of juvenile spring Chinook salmon listed under the Endangered Species Act.