Portland, Ore. -- PORTLAND, Ore. – Water managers will hold two public information sessions May 18 to discuss historically low water levels in the Rogue River Basin.
The experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) said the basin is currently on track for one of its worst years on record for water scarcity. Low rainfall and snowpack have created drought conditions for Lost Creek and Applegate lakes, creating challenges for refilling the basin’s two reservoirs ahead of the summer recreation season. In addition, USACE started its annual spring refill season with lower-than-normal water levels. This is due to the use of additional stored water – referred to as carryover storage – to support fish migration and survival in the Applegate and Rogue rivers during the previous summer and fall.
“Without the dams capturing and storing the limited rain and snowmelt we have received so far, the entire Rogue River Basin would currently be in a much worse condition,” said Salina Hart, chief of reservoir regulation and water quality with USACE.
USACE must balance the congressionally authorized purposes of these dams: the dams must hold and release water to manage flood risk, generate hydropower, supply irrigation, and maintain adequate downstream river flows for fish survival.
"As public servants and Oregonians, we care about the people and natural resources of the Rogue River Basin," said Kevin McAllister, a hydraulic civil engineer with USACE. “Our focus is on making the best possible decisions with the limited water we have to balance the needs of our communities, the economy, and the environment.”
The public information session will include the forecast for summer reservoir levels and time for questions from the public.
💻 Virtual Meeting
🕛 Noon-1 p.m.
🌐Click here to join the meeting online
Meeting ID: 993 253 774 182
Passcode: CG2hq9KV
📞 Call-in Number: 503-207-9433
Conference ID: 216 642 493#
💻👩💼 Hybrid Meeting (In-person and virtual)
🕕 6-7:30 p.m.
🏫 Jackson County Auditorium
7250 Table Rock Road
Central Point, OR 97502
🌐 Click here to join the meeting online
Meeting ID: 993 253 774 182
Passcode: CG2hq9KV
📞 Call-in number: 503-207-9433
Conference ID: 216 642 493#
Reservoir Conditions
USACE’s “teacup diagrams” provide real-time water elevations for USACE-managed reservoirs. The Portland District encourages the public to check the “teacup diagrams” before heading out to recreate: https://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nwp/teacup/rogue/ or http://pweb.crohms.org/nwp/teacup/rogue/.
Lost Creek: 84% full (as of May 6)
Applegate: 54% full (as of May 6)
Year-to-date precipitation: 62% of normal
Snow-water equivalent (amount of water in snow): 10% of normal
Background
USACE manages reservoir inflows based on a “rule curve,” which establishes the authorized maximum water elevation on a given day. This curve helps balance flood risk management with water storage for other authorized purposes, such as hydropower and irrigation supply. USACE intentionally keeps the Rogue Basin’s reservoirs lower in the winter to reduce downstream flooding risks and refills them in the spring to prepare for summer recreation and ensure adequate river flows for fish.
Contact
Media Desk
503-808-4510
DLL-CENWP-MEDIA-DESK@usace.army.mil