USACE developing long-term plans for Fern Ridge Lake, requests public input

Portland District
Published Jan. 16, 2026
The sun sets over Fern Ridge Lake

The sun sets over Fern Ridge Lake west of Eugene, Ore., on Dec. 3, 2019. The 9,360-acre reservoir is the largest of the 13 flood control dams in the Willamette Valley and serves as a critical sanctuary for more than 250 species of birds.

PORTLAND, Ore. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invites the public to participate, virtual or in-person, to help update the nearly 40-year old Fern Ridge Master Plan during two upcoming public meeting about the Willamette Valley lake.

A master plan provides long-term strategies for protection and management of all recreational, natural, and cultural resources, and ensures agencies follow federal regulations and national goals in a comprehensive and consolidated manner.  It establishes a vision for future natural resource management and supports responsible stewardship to guide sustainable use of resources for the benefit of present and future generations.   

What To Expect: β€―Agency personnel are available to listen, as well as answer questions about the project and the National Environmental Policy Act process. Both in-person and virtual attendees will learn the process to update the master plan and how to provide input for the development of an updated master plan.β€― 

Role of the Public: The master plan is a public document. Getting the public involved is an important part of planning and the environmental review process. Input from people who use and care about Fern Ridge Lake will help shape the master plan.  

Community input can help identify data gaps, significant issues, affected resources, and potential alternatives to be analyzed in detail in later environmental review. 

Meeting Information:

πŸ–₯️ Virtual Meeting 

πŸ“… Wednesday, January 21 

πŸ• 1 to 2:30 p.m. 
🌐 Join online here
      Meeting ID: 993 566 815 737

 πŸ« In-Person Meeting 

πŸ“… Saturday, January 24  

πŸ“ Veneta Community Center, 25192 E. Broadway Ave., Veneta 97487 

πŸ•• 9 – 11 a.m. 
 

For further details on the project, meeting materials, or to submit comments, visit www.nwp.usace.army.mil/MasterPlans or contact the Corps’ project team via email at CENWP-WVP-Master-Plan-Updates@usace.army.mil

 

 


Contact
Media Desk
503-808-4510
dll-cenwp-media-desk@usace.army.mil

Release no. 26-008