Portland District News Releases

500% Greater Risk of Drowning due to Cold Water at Start of Summer

Press Operations — Mon, 22 May 2023 20:02:00 GMT

As millions of Americans head out on the water to enjoy the warmer weather, recreation managers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are urging caution for the Memorial Day holiday.

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.

Corps updates Safe Lockage Policy for recreational vessels on Columbia, Snake rivers

Press Operations — Fri, 27 May 2022 15:16:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has put the following guidelines in place for the continued safe passage of recreational craft through the navigation locks at McNary, John Day, The Dalles, and Bonneville dams on the Columbia River, and Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams on the Snake River:

Drought, lack of measurable rain drains Willamette Valley reservoirs - Corps hosts info session

Press Operations — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 22:17:42 GMT

Nearly 50 days without measurable rain, combined with hot, dry conditions, has made reservoir levels in the Willamette Valley the lowest in six years. Additionally, forecasts are not predicting enough precipitation to alleviate the ongoing drought in the Pacific Northwest. To help the public understand the conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District will host an info session Thursday, Aug. 5th from 12-1 p.m. to update the public about lake levels and recreation opportunities in its 13 Willamette Valley reservoirs.

Summer brings hot temps, water sports and potential danger

Press Operations — Fri, 07 May 2021 15:29:05 GMT

Last year, 27 Oregonians died in recreational boating-related incidents – the most in three decades. Incidents overall spiked in 2020. Of 96 fatal and non-fatal occurrences – a 20-year high – three happened at Portland District reservoirs. The Oregon State Marine Board tracks these and officials attribute the increase – in part – to the pandemic.

Reservoir drawdowns, dam construction impact McKenzie River recreation

Press Operations — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:28:00 GMT

Increased water releases from Cougar and Blue River dams will limit access to some recreation opportunities in those areas. The McKenzie River will also have higher than normal flows as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reduces reservoir levels behind the dams to support maintenance and rehabilitation of the structures’ spillway gates.

Big Cliff Reservoir levels to decrease during survey

Press Operations — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 15:34:00 GMT

Water levels at Big Cliff Reservoir will be lower June 19 and 20 to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct an archaeological survey. The water drawdown will begin June 16 and reach approximately 1180 feet by 8 a.m. June 19. This is about two feet lower than typical low levels at Big Cliff. Corps regulators will hold the reservoir at that level until approximately 8 p.m., June 20.

Play It Safe When You’re In, On or Near The Water

Press Operations — Fri, 26 May 2017 19:22:00 GMT

Before you head out for a day around water, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds you and everyone in your group to wear a life jacket.

Corps, OWRD seek input on use of Willamette reservoir storage space

Press Operations — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:23:33 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon Water Resources Department are seeking public input on how water storage space in the Corps’ Willamette Valley reservoirs could be reallocated for specific uses during the summer.

Corps to lower Cougar Reservoir for temperature control tower repairs

Press Operations — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 20:11:06 GMT

The Corps will lower Cougar Reservoir to about 80 feet below its usual winter elevation to allow for urgent debris removal and repairs in Cougar Dam’s temperature control tower.

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.

Portland Mayor Hales and Corps announce environmental restoration project for lower Willamette Basin

Press Operations — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 21:16:00 GMT

City of Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and Portland District Commander Col. Jose Aguilar announced that a plan to restore five Portland sites in the lower Willamette River basin was unanimously approved today by the Civil Works Review Board of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Washington, District of Columbia.

Corps warns of low Lost Creek Lake levels

Press Operations — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:13:55 GMT

Water levels at Lost Creek Lake will be unusually low for the rest of the summer and into the fall.

Drought could impact Corps permits

Press Operations — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:22:00 GMT

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulators say Oregon’s drought conditions could impact some project plans.

Corps to issue draft Rogue water management plan for public review

Press Operations — Wed, 20 May 2015 20:51:28 GMT

The Corps will issue its draft Rogue Basin summer water management plan next week for public review and comment.

Corps to host Rogue water management planning call

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 20:30:07 GMT

The Corps and its partners will hold their next conference call April 21 at 2 p.m. to plan Rogue River Basin Project summer water management operations.

Fish tests delay Foster Reservoir spring refill

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 22:12:59 GMT

Foster Reservoir’s normal spring refill schedule has changed again this year to accommodate ongoing fish passage research. The reservoir’s summer elevation will also be slightly lower again this summer.

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.

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 finalizes 2014 Rogue water management plan

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 18:10:52 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has finalized its plan for 2014 summer water management operations at its Rogue Basin dams.