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

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.

Army Corps of Engineers Halts Green Peter Drawdown Ahead of Schedule

Press Operations — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 16:50:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, halted the court-ordered drawdown of Green Peter Reservoir, November 22, after receiving requests from three cities downstream on the South Santiam River.

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.

Army Corps of Engineers hosts public info sessions focused on Lookout Point and Green Peter reservoir drawdowns

Press Operations — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:12:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invites the public to three online information sessions to learn about Willamette Valley dams and reservoirs operating under court-ordered interim injunction measures.

Deep reservoir drawdown at Green Peter Dam causes ‘barotrauma,’ death for thousands of kokanee salmon

Press Operations — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 23:31:00 GMT

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife determined that the fish died from barotrauma, a condition caused by a rapid pressure reduction as fish pass from deep below the surface on one side of the dam to the other side near the surface level. Among divers, this decompression effect is known as “the bends.”

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.

Corps of Engineers seeking public input on long-term resource management plan for Foster, Green Peter lakes

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 19:18:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland District (Corps) will host a series of public meetings Feb. 23-28 to gather input that will help inform the agency’s long-term plan for resource management at Foster and Green Peter lakes, located near Sweet Home.

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.

Green Peter Dam less risky after extensive studies, rehab and assessment

Press Operations — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 16:09:00 GMT

After years of extensive studies, a risk assessment and recent rehabilitation of spillway gates, officials re-classify Green Peter Dam, near Sweet Home, Ore., as a Low Risk dam. Recent rehabilitation of the spillway tainter gates for trunnion friction and overall reliability have improved the risk characterization. These efforts along with a detailed review of the dam’s hazards, performance and consequences, helped decrease risks from the last assessment, which rated Green Peter as a High Risk dam.

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.

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 close Green Peter Dam road, adjacent parks

Press Operations — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 18:56:59 GMT

We will close the road over Green Peter Dam and the public areas on both ends of the dam from Aug. 31, 2015, to Feb. 15, 2016, to rehabilitate the second of the dam's two spillway gates.

Corps starts Green Peter Dam spillway gate rehab

Press Operations — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 22:12:14 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will rehabilitate one of Green Peter Dam’s two spillway gates September 2014 through February 2015, improving the dam’s ability to help reduce flood damage to South Santiam River communities.

Corps permanently closes roadside camping at Green Peter Reservoir

Press Operations — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:22:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is permanently closing roadside camping at Green Peter Reservoir northeast of Sweet Home, Ore.

Corps seeks public comments on Green Peter Reservoir recreation improvements

Press Operations — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:03:00 GMT

Seeking public comments on a draft environmental assessment of proposed recreation improvements at Green Peter Reservoir northeast of Sweet Home, Ore.