Portland District News Releases

Water managers to hold meeting as Rogue River Basin faces historically dry year

Press Operations — Wed, 06 May 2026 18:41:00 GMT

Water managers will hold two public information sessions May 18 to discuss historically low water levels in the Rogue River Basin. The experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) said the basin is currently on track for one of its worst years on record for water scarcity. Low rainfall and snowpack have created drought conditions for Lost Creek and Applegate lakes, creating challenges for refilling the basin’s two reservoirs ahead of the summer recreation season.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center hosts 16th annual Eagle Watch

Press Operations — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 23:48:00 GMT

Join Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) park rangers at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum Jan. 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to catch a glimpse of bald eagles that congregate near the dam every winter in search of food.

Corps of Engineers changes schedule, access to four Oregon recreation areas

Press Operations — Tue, 20 May 2025 20:19:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, announced schedule and access changes at several recreation areas in Oregon for the upcoming season.

Corps of Engineers delays opening Plymouth, LePage campgrounds

Press Operations — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 20:54:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District will delay the opening of Plymouth and LePage campgrounds.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center hosts 15th annual Eagle Watch

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:47:00 GMT

Join Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) park rangers at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center Jan. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to catch a glimpse of bald eagles that congregate near the dam every winter in search of food.

USACE invites public to Rogue River Basin reservoir levels info session

Press Operations — Thu, 30 May 2024 23:07:00 GMT

Water managers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invite the public to an online information session to learn about the summer reservoir forecast for Lost Creek and Applegate lakes at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 6.

USACE invites public to Willamette Valley reservoir levels info session

Press Operations — Thu, 23 May 2024 21:41:00 GMT

Water managers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invite the public to an online information session to learn about the summer forecast for the Willamette Valley System (WVS) of dams and reservoirs.

The Dalles Dam Hosts 14th Annual Eagle Watch

Press Operations — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 17:49:48 GMT

The Dalles Dam invites the public to their 14th annual Eagle Watch event on Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the month of January, The Dalles Dam Visitor Center will be open every Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (subject to weather.)

Corps advises recreation users check Willamette Valley boat ramp availability ahead of Labor Day weekend

Press Operations — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 20:02:41 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District advises boaters to check availability of boat ramps in the Willamette Valley ahead of the Labor Day weekend.

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.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center hosts 13th annual Eagle Watch

Press Operations — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 21:09:13 GMT

The eagles have landed! Join Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) park rangers at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to catch a glimpse of bald eagles that congregate near the dam every winter in search of food.

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.

Winter recreational lock schedule begins Sept. 15 on Lower Columbia

Press Operations — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 16:55:00 GMT

Motorized recreational boaters who need to pass through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps’) three lower Columbia River dams must do so during daylight hours only, upon request, Sept. 15 through May 14, 2023.

9,200 buckets later, Corps dredging halfway complete at Gold Beach

Press Operations — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:37:34 GMT

A giant bucket – the size of a 1970s Volkswagen bus – swings through the air after it gobbles up 20 cubic yards of gravel blocking (shoaling-in) access to parts of the Port of Gold Beach, Ore. The small community on the southern coast, where the Rogue River meets the Pacific Ocean, doesn’t have much, but it has a port that sees upwards of 35,000 visitors per year for jet boat tours and averages 75-100 fishing boats a day, according to port officials.

Heat wave fuels needless drownings, boating deaths in Oregon

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:21:44 GMT

Drownings and boating-related deaths needlessly continue claiming lives in Oregon, recently fueled by a heat wave. The Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) reported 19 boating-related fatalities in 2021 and the Oregon Health Authority recorded 57 drownings in natural waters in 2020, which is 160% increase from 2019 (35 drownings). Life jackets may have prevented many of these deaths.

Through groundbreaking consultation, Corps signs programmatic agreement to protect Willamette Valley’s cultural, historic resources

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 20:20:41 GMT

The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and partners have finalized an agreement that will enhance the protection of historic and cultural resources across the Willamette Valley while carrying out critical Corps projects.

Corps to provide update on drastically improved water year for Rogue Basin

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 20:57:00 GMT

Army water managers for the Rogue River Basin will hold a public virtual information session June 8, 2-2:30 p.m., to share the improved summer conservation season outlook for the basin.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center reopens for summer season

Press Operations — Fri, 27 May 2022 18:48:51 GMT

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center reopened to the public May 27. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, through the end of August.

Corps’ summer recreational lock schedule to take effect May 15

Press Operations — Wed, 11 May 2022 18:27:00 GMT

Motorized recreational boaters who need to pass through the three lower Columbia River dams must follow a lock schedule taking effect May 15.