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  • Public invited to comment on draft study of Detroit Reservoir deep drawdown, potential end to hydropower production

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Portland District is seeking public input on a draft study that considers changes to how the agency operates its Willamette Valley dams. This study – referred to as a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) –builds upon a six-year study completed in April 2025 and addresses new requirements regarding endangered fish and hydropower production that emerged shortly before the six-year study was finalized.

  • Detroit Dam deep drawdown delayed until 2026 so Army Corps of Engineers can get public input

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE) will not perform a deep drawdown at Detroit Reservoir in the fall of 2025.

  • Corps considers future changes that may impact Willamette Valley System operations, maintenance

    Army engineers and planners are considering major changes that may impact the continued operations and maintenance of the Willamette Valley System (WVS). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) staff continue developing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for WVS operations and maintenance in accordance with authorized project purposes, while meeting Endangered Species Act (ESA) obligations to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of listed species.

  • Corps Finds No Significant Environmental Impact Reducing Detroit Dam’s Maximum Elevation Pool

    The Portland District found no significant environmental impacts associated with reducing Detroit Dam’s Reservoir maximum pool elevation by five feet to curb the risk of a large earthquake causing the spillway gates to buckle.

  • Corps considers plan to reduce Detroit Reservoir maximum pool elevation

    Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers considers a plan to reduce Detroit Reservoir’s maximum pool elevation by five feet beginning this summer to reduce the likelihood of overstressing the spillway gates during a large earthquake, which might impact boat ramp access in some years.

  • Corps modifies operations to improve salmon passage at Detroit Dam

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is modifying operations at Detroit Dam to improve juvenile salmon downstream passage survival by releasing water exclusively through the upper regulating outlets when downstream passage rates are high.

  • Spillway gate rehab closes Detroit Dam road

    A second season of rehabilitation of the Detroit Dam spillway gates begins Nov. 2, which will close the road on top of the dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers anticipates the work window and road closure to last through February 28, 2021.

  • Corps closes recreation areas due to Willamette Valley fires

    Due to multiple fires burning throughout the Willamette Valley, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District is closing all of the recreation areas it manages near its dams.

  • Corps releases report addressing public comments for Detroit Dam fish passage project

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed its analysis of the public’s comments regarding the Corps’ proposed plan to provide downstream fish passage, including temperature control, at Detroit Dam and Lake. The report is available here: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16021coll7/id/7438. This report describes the public scoping process, provides analysis on comments collected, and concludes with a summary on how these comments will be incorporated into the project’s Environmental Impact Statement analysis. Public scoping is the process by which federal agencies solicit public input on the scope of issues and alternatives the agency should address in an EIS as a part of the National Environmental Policy Act.

  • Detroit Dam begins temperature control spill operations

    The Corps began temperature control spill operations early this morning to change water temperature in the North Santiam River to create optimal spawning and rearing conditions for threatened spring Chinook and winter steelhead.