During historically dry year, USACE to hold virtual public meeting about Lost Creek, Applegate reservoir levels

PORTLAND, Ore. – Army water managers will hold a virtual public information meeting July 22 to discuss historically low water levels and the summer forecast for the Rogue River Basin. 

According to officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the basin is on track for one of its driest years on record. Low rainfall and thin winter snowpack have created severe drought conditions for Lost Creek and Applegate reservoirs, presenting major challenges for filling both lakes. 

"We are facing historic lows across the basin, but we are continuing to work with our partners to manage the releases the best we can to mitigate the impacts of these dry conditions," said Kevin McAllister, a hydraulic engineer with USACE’s Portland District.  

Federal law requires USACE to balance the multiple congressional purposes of these dams, which include flood risk management, clean hydropower production, irrigation supply, and downstream fish survival.  
 
“Without the dams capturing the limited precipitation and melting snow, the downstream conditions would be substantially worse,” said McAllister. 
 
📅 Public Meeting 
Wednesday, July 22 
Noon to 1 p.m. 
 
🌐 Click here to join the online meeting 
Meeting ID: 993 255 280 995  
Passcode: n2uS9wP7 
 
📞 Dial in by phone   
601-262-2433 
178 945 329# 
 
Reservoir Conditions 
The Portland District encourages the public to check real-time reservoir elevations before recreating. Real-time data is available on the district's website: https://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nwp/teacup/rogue/. 
 
Reservoir/percent full (as of July 14, 2026) 
 
Applegate: 38% 
Lost Creek: 48% 
 
Overall Rogue Basin System: 46% 
 
Reservoir Operations 
USACE manages reservoir inflows based on a “rule curve,” which establishes the authorized maximum water elevation on a given day to balance flood risk management with water storage for other purposes. USACE intentionally keeps its Rogue River Basin reservoirs lower in the winter to reduce downstream flooding risks and refills them in the spring to prepare for summer and ensure adequate river flows.