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.

Experts to explain earthquake risk, lower Hills Creek Reservoir levels at public meeting

Press Operations — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:26:24 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, will host two virtual public information sessions on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to discuss proactive safety measures being implemented at Hills Creek Dam.

Lower reservoir levels planned at Hills Creek Dam

Press Operations — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:03:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District will lower Hills Creek reservoir levels to reduce seismic risk.

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 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 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.