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  • February

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration, as co-lead agencies, are preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act on the operations, maintenance and configurations for 14 federal projects in the Columbia River System in the interior Columbia River Basin.

    Federal agencies release Columbia River System Operations draft environmental impact statement and preferred alternative

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration today released the Columbia River System Operations draft environmental impact statement for a 45-day public review and comment period from February 28 - April 13, 2020. The draft includes the Preferred Alternative for the operations, maintenance and configuration of the 14 federal dam and reservoir projects that comprise the Columbia River System.
  • Hills Creek Dam is one of 14 flood risk management dams managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Willamette Valley, Oregon.

    Corps plans changes to summer reservoir levels at Hills Creek, Lookout Point to reduce earthquake risk

    The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will limit summer reservoir levels at Lookout Point and Hills Creek dams to reduce the structural risk during large earthquakes, and to protect and save lives by reducing the potential for flooding following an earthquake.

  • January

    Dam Safety graphics

    Ready for the “Big One”? The Corps studies and prepares for the worst case

    Scientists tell us the Pacific Northwest is due for a very large earthquake—possibly as large as magnitude 9.2—from the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) off the Pacific coast, stretching from northern California to southern British Columbia. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District has been evaluating potential impacts to its dams in the Willamette, Rogue and Columbia River regions to prepare for such an event.

  • December

    Eagle Watch at The Dalles Dam

    10th annual Eagle Watch at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center Jan. 18

    Join Portland District park rangers for the 10th annual Eagle Watch at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center on Saturday, Jan. 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to view bald eagles roosting in their natural habitat along the Columbia River.

  • November

    High Voltage Exhibit

    Bonneville Dam hosts BPA electricity exhibit and presentation

    Visit Bonneville Dam’s Washington Shore visitor center from now through Feb. 2020 to experience Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) High Voltage DC (HVDC) Test Center exhibit. Visit on Nov. 30 at 2:30 p.m. and hear from Libby Burke, Bonneville Power Administration’s library archivist.

  • September

    Cycle Oregon

    Cycle Oregon visits Dorena Lake

    On Friday, September 13, over 1,500 cyclists spent the final night of a seven day, 485-mile ride at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Schwarz Campground near Dorena Lake.

  • July

    Portland District's Tribal Liaison, Craig Johnson

    Introducing Portland District’s Tribal Liaison

    The Portland District welcomes Craig Johnson as the new District Tribal Liaison. This position serves as the direct link between the Corps and the 16 Native American Indian tribes spread across the Northwestern region.
  • Ranger Tilton on Explore The Dalles tour

    Explore The Dalles Dam and visitor center this summer

    Visit The Dalles Dam and visitor center this summer. Discover how the dam works and why it’s here. Examine the benefits and trade-offs, and learn about the Corps’ unique history.

  • June

    Sunset at Dexter Reservoir

    Willamette Valley Project summer reservoir outlook

    The Corps manages the Willamette Valley Project's 13 dams and reservoirs to work as a system to provide flood risk management, recreation, water quality and supply, and more to the region.

  • May

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Blue River Dam and Reservoir in 1969 to manage flood risks from the McKenzie River, a tributary of the Willamette River, east of Eugene, Oregon. It is one 13 dams and reservoirs in the Willamette Valley System and has helped the Corps reduce the severity of floods, which saves the region an estimated one billion dollars per year. Portland District is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the system, this year.

    Complex system of dams turns 50, saves Oregon $1 billion annually

    This year, Blue River Dam turns 50-years-old, and marks the 50th commemoration of the completion of the entire system of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 13 dams in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, which has been systematically protecting people, infrastructure and a way-of-life since 1969.