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  • January

    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.

  • June

    Detroit Dam Aerial View

    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.

  • March

    Detroit Dam, 45 miles southeast of Salem, Ore. sits across the North Santiam River. It has six spillway gates that are 42 feet wide by 31 feet tall. In 2020, as a part of Portland District's comprehensive dam safety program, staff completed an updated seismic hazard analysis for Detroit Dam to better understand the potential earthquake ground motions at the site. Corps engineers used this his hazard study to analyze the performance of the spillway gates and found the risk to be higher than we previously assessed. Structural analysis of the spillway gates has shown there is a possibility for buckling of the spillway gates' supporting arms, which could result in an uncontrolled release of water from the dam. Because Detroit Dam is located upstream of many communities including the state capital of Salem, Oregon, there is potential for devastating flooding to affect large portions of the narrow North Santiam River canyon and urban areas.

    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.

  • November

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managers also adjust operations, when water levels make it possible, by releasing water through Detroit Dam’s spillways during summer months to make downstream water temperatures and habitat better for salmon survival. (U.S. Army photo by Jeremy Bell).

    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.

  • October

    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.

  • September

    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.