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.

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 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 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.

Poor water year continues - Corps hosts info session

Press Operations — Mon, 17 May 2021 19:05:07 GMT

As warm, dry weather continues, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District is seeing a worsening water year as it strives to refill 13 Willamette Valley reservoirs for the upcoming recreation season.

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.

Fire support causes temporary recreation area closures

Press Operations — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 16:59:00 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. – *UPDATE* Four recreation areas at Dexter and Lookout Point dams are closed to the public to support firefighting efforts at the Jones Fire, east of Eugene, Ore. The Jones fire is located in the Little Fall Creek watershed in the Willamette National Forest.

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.

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.

Spillway gate rehab will lower Lookout Point Reservoir summer water levels

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 18:54:10 GMT

Lookout Point Reservoir’s water level will be kept at least 60 feet below its usual maximum elevation this summer, affecting recreational access.

Corps' Willamette Valley Project headquarters moves to downtown Eugene

Press Operations — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 22:37:32 GMT

The headquarters of our Willamette Valley Project has moved from Lookout Point Dam to the Eugene Federal Building. The project's main phone number has changed to 541-684-4300. All Corps Willamette Valley offices can be reached through this number.