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.

Public invited to comment on draft study of Detroit Reservoir deep drawdown, potential end to hydropower production

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:22:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Portland District is seeking public input on a draft study that considers changes to how the agency operates its Willamette Valley dams. This study – referred to as a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) –builds upon a six-year study completed in April 2025 and addresses new requirements regarding endangered fish and hydropower production that emerged shortly before the six-year study was finalized.

Corps to discuss Willamette Valley reservoir refill, future operations during public info sessions

Press Operations — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:37:00 GMT

With summer around the corner and outdoor enthusiasts gearing up for recreation season, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, invites the public to learn what’s in store for Willamette Valley reservoirs this year.

Columbia River locks shut down for annual maintenance

Press Operations — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 23:29:00 GMT

The Columbia-Snake River System, a critical trade corridor supporting $24 billion in commerce annually, will pause operations for two weeks beginning March 9, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, conducts its annual navigation lock maintenance.

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.

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.

Summer recreational lock schedule now in effect on Columbia River

Press Operations — Wed, 17 May 2023 16:52:00 GMT

Recreational boaters passing through the three lower Columbia River dams must follow a summer locking schedule through Sept. 14. Commercial vessels will continue to lock through upon arrival except during the times specified for recreational vessels.

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.

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.

Hydropower offers stability during heat waves

Press Operations — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 22:22:00 GMT

Hydropower dams do not produce emissions like fossil-fuel burning resources, making the Northwest’s power system the cleanest in the nation. Dams can also ramp up and down within minutes or seconds, making them very nimble and flexible during heat waves and cold snaps.

Oregon Corps projects get $146 million for aging infrastructure

Press Operations — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:17:17 GMT

Army Engineers and planners will receive $146 million for various infrastructure projects at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) sites around Oregon. This funding came from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Columbia River commerce halts for extended period for annual outage

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 16:52:00 GMT

Commerce moving up and down the Columbia River, which is a $23 billion industry, will be at a stand-still for up to five weeks beginning Feb. 13. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) closes its navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake river dams on an annual basis for maintenance and repairs; however, this year the Corps is extending the closure an extra three weeks – in part – to repair the downstream miter gate at The Dalles.

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 developing long-term plans for Cottage Grove and Dorena lakes, wants public input

Press Operations — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 19:42:11 GMT

The land-use plan (Master Plan or MP) for Cottage Grove and Dorena lakes is out-of-date, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is in the process of updating it. Corps staff are seeking input from the public on MP development during four upcoming information sessions.

Transmission line work to close part of Giles French Park

Press Operations — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 22:10:55 GMT

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) will replace transmission lines (area outlined in yellow in attached image) from John Day Lock and Dam to the substation located on top of the hill south of Interstate 84, which will close a portion of Giles French Park beginning Jun. 8th.

Corps considers plan to reduce Detroit Reservoir maximum pool elevation

Press Operations — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 23:31:10 GMT

Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers considers a plan to reduce Detroit Reservoir’s maximum pool elevation by five feet beginning this summer to reduce the likelihood of overstressing the spillway gates during a large earthquake, which might impact boat ramp access in some years.

Spillway gate rehab closes Detroit Dam road

Press Operations — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 16:55:00 GMT

A second season of rehabilitation of the Detroit Dam spillway gates begins Nov. 2, which will close the road on top of the dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers anticipates the work window and road closure to last through February 28, 2021.