Valley reservoirs full now, early drawdown will lower levels

PORTLAND, Ore. – Above average rainfall this spring has nearly filled the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ reservoirs in the Willamette Valley. Reservoirs are about 99 percent full as the region begins plans for summer recreation. Most reservoirs will follow the normal management schedule, however, some will experience early drawdowns: Hills Creek, Cougar and Blue River reservoirs.

The Corps will drawdown these reservoirs to continue spillway gate repairs, which are part of its Dam Safety program. Repairs will make the gates’ more reliable and improve mechanical and electrical systems. These repairs improve the dams’ abilities to help reduce flood damage to downstream river communities.

• Hills Creek Reservoir drawdown begins approximately June 1. Packard Creek boat ramp will be accessible but Bingham Landing and CT Beach Park boat ramps will be inaccessible after July 15.
• Cougar Reservoir drawdown begins approximately July 1. All ramps will be accessible through Labor Day weekend.
• Blue River Reservoir drawdown begins approximately July 15. Saddle Dam boat ramp will be accessible but Lookout boat launch will be inaccessible after Sept. 1.

These drawdown schedules are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please view our ‘Teacup’ diagrams at http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nwp/teacup/willamette/.

Work at Hills Creek began in 2016 and is scheduled to be completed as funds are available through Fiscal Year 2018. Blue River and Cougar dams' gates rehabilitations are in progress and expected to be completed in Fiscal Year 2018. The repairs are similar to rehabilitation work previously completed at Green Peter, Big Cliff and Fall Creek dams.

A 2010 system-wide gates assessment resulted in the replacement or repair of some critical components and a prioritized plan for long-term rehabilitation of the gates.  To date, all of Green Peter, Foster, Big Cliff, Lookout Point, Dexter and Fall Creek dams' spillway gates have been rehabilitated.