Recreation with the Portland District

The Corps provides quality public outdoor recreation to serve the needs of present and future generations, while managing and conserving natural resources. The Portland District’s recreation program offers world class wind surfing, excellent fly fishing, and a wide assortment of camping, hiking, boating, fishing, biking, geocaching, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Visit one of our recreation areas to connect with nature and create lasting memories. More than 90 percent of our recreation areas are within 50 miles of a city or town.

Life jackets and water safety

Cormorants on East Sand Island

 

Life jackets are available during the summer months at certain sites. Visit project sites or contact parks for detailed dates of operation. 

Life jackets are available on a first come, first serve basis.

For a list of life jacket loaner stations, click here.

Visit our water safety page for more safety tips.

Visit our water safety page for more information.
Visit our water safety page for more information.

Submit Comments on the Draft Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment

When the Public Comment period is open, public comments must be submitted in writing by email or postal service mail.

Send email comments to:
Newport-CAP-107-Project@usace.army.mil
Please add “Newport 107 Draft EA” in the subject line of the email.

 

Send postal service comments to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Attn: CENWP-PME-E / Willamette EIS
P.O. Box 2946
Portland, OR 97208-2946
Please add “Newport 107 Draft EA” in the subject line of submitted letters.

The Corps will consider all comments received during the comment period and will respond to comments in the Final Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment. If applicable, the Final Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment will reflect changes to the Draft based on public comments and/or information made available since publication of the Draft. All public comments will be included in the Corps’ administrative record.

Rules, policies and related information

Reserving campsites: Search for and reserve available campsites at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Campsites can be reserved up to 180 days in advance. Note: not all recreation sites take reservations.

Hunting guidelines: All rules and regulations for the public use of Corps lands are described in Title 36, Chapter III, Part 327. The following document provides more detailed information specific to hunting on Corps lands within the Portland District. Hunters should be aware that some of the lands surrounding Corps reservoirs are managed by other County, State, and Federal agencies and different guidelines may apply. Hunters are responsible for recognizing private land boundaries and should not hunt on private land without permission of the landowner.

Information about hunting at Applegate project should be obtained from local U.S. Forest Service offices. Rifle hunting is allowed in designated areas at Elk Creek and Lost Creek reservoir, with restrictions.

Willamette Valley Hunting Guidelines and Maps

Geocaching policy: In general, geocaching can be a fun and appropriate recreational activity at Corps projects, provided the security or missions of the project are not compromised. It provides an opportunity for positive interactions and partnerships with local groups involved in this activity. Monitoring of web sites, communication and participation with these groups can form healthy relationships with benefits to all involved. Working with these groups can prevent problems and promote the Corps as a willing partner. Regulation should be based on common-sense needs of specific projects or areas, with a minimal permitting burden on the recreating public. Read more about the policy here.

Anchor safely: These five steps will help you to anchor safely:

  1. Use anchor lines that are 5-7 times the depth of the water.

    1. Use a float for the anchor line to serve as a buffer and to reduce the risk of getting the anchor line tangled in the propeller.

    2. Lower, do not throw, the anchor to avoid tangles in the line.

    3. Anchor only off the point of the bow. Anchoring off the stern or the side will capsize your boat.

  2. Power upstream of anchor before retrieving it. Maintain position in line with the flow of the current while retrieving anchor. Turning cross-wise to the current increases the risk of capsizing.

  3. Rivers can become turbulent with little or no warning. You are advised to wear a Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device at all times. Also, take precautions against hypothermia. River temperatures can range from 70 degrees in the summer to near freezing during the winter.

  4. River users are reminded that although it is legal to anchor in the channel, it is illegal to block the right-of-way of a vessel that is restricted to using the channel.

  5. Five blasts of the horn signify danger, and you must take action to avoid that danger.

For more tips, visit the Corps of Engineers National Water Safety website. Click here for a print version of this information.

Fee collection and comparison: Day-use fees, including boat ramp and dump station fees, will be collected while parks are available for camping. No fees are collected during park closure dates. Some boat ramps outside fee campgrounds will charge a $5 launch fee per day, which is valid at any Corps-managed recreation site for day it was purchased.

All fees have been set to maintain comparable fee schedules with other federal, state, county and private campgrounds. All fees meet the requirements set in Engineering Publication 1130-2-550. Fee comparability within the same state and district is outlined in Paragraph 9 of EP 1130-2-550.

Seaplanes on Corps lakes: Seaplanes may be operated seven days a week between sunrise and sunset at all Portland District lakes with the exception of Big Cliff, Applegate and Willow Creek lakes. Once on the water seaplanes shall be considered powerboats and must be operated in accordance with marine rules of the road. Seaplanes in the water may taxi to any area of the lake subject to the powerboating restrictions for those lakes. For more information, see: Seaplane operations at Corps of Engineers lakes.

Drone policy: For both safety and security reasons, the operation of aircraft, including drones (formally known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems) may not be operated on Corps projects. This includes land with structures such as dams. See Title 36 C.F.R. 327.4 and supporting documentation.

Firearm policy: The current regulation prohibits the possession of firearms unless being used for hunting, at authorized shooting ranges, or if written permission has been received from the District Commander. Please contact the Portland District Public Affairs at 503-808-4510 or cenp-pa@usace.army.mil.

Protect Public Resources: Natural features, rocks and minerals, vegetation, historical or archaeological artifact, and paleontological resources are all a par of our public lands. Collection, excavation, or vandalism of these resources on public lands I prohibited by Federal laws. Enforcement penalties include fines and/or imprisonment.

 

* Statistics current as of March 2023.

Contact Information

Questions about any guidelines should be directed to:

Bonneville Lock and Dam, 541-374-8344
The Dalles Lock and Dam, 541-506-8475
John Day Lock and Dam, 541-739-1135
Rogue River Basin Project, 541-878-2255
Willamette Valley Projects, 541-942-5631