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The Elk Creek project was initiated in 1971, the third dam authorized by Congress to be built in the Rogue River Basin. After years of litigation the project was stopped in 1988, leaving an incomplete dam 83 feet tall, one-third its designed height. Once construction was stopped, plans were developed to restore Elk Creek to a free-flowing creek. The dam was notched on Aug. 17, 2008, and the Corps diverted Elk Creek into the new channel on Sept. 15, 2008.

Planning

Your Partner in Water Resource Planning and Development

We study potential water resource development projects in Oregon and parts of southwestern Washington, analyzing and solving water resource issues of concern to local communities. These issues may involve navigational improvements, flood damage reduction, or ecosystem restoration

The USACE planning process follows a structured approach to problem-solving, using a rational framework for sound decision-making; it is also applicable for many other types of studies and we encourage its use. This six-step process is used for all Corps planning studies:

  1. Identifying problems and opportunities
  2. Inventorying and forecasting conditions
  3. Formulating alternative plans
  4. Evaluating alternative plans
  5. Comparing alternative plans
  6. Selecting a plan

Under a number of authorities, Planning Branch staff serve as both planners and managers for several types of projects shown below.

Program Authorities

About

Active Projects:
Portland Metro Levee System
Lower Columbia River Channel Maintenance Plan
Willamette Basin Review

Past Projects

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About

The Continuing Authorities Program consists of a group of nine authorities granted by Congress. CAP authorizes the Corps of Engineers to authorize, plan, design and implement certain types of water resources projects without additional congressional authorization.

The Table below list the CAP authorities by Section, authorizing legislation, and purpose.

CAP Authority Authorizing Legislation Purpose
Section 14 – Emergency Streambank and Shoreline Protection Flood Control Act of 1946, as amended (33 U.S.C. 701r)
 		 Flood Risk Management
 
Section 103 – Beach Erosion and Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Rivers and Harbors Act of 1962 as amended (33 U.S.C. 426g)
 		 Coastal Storm Risk Management
Section 107 – Navigation Improvements
 		 Rivers and Harbors Act of 1960, as amended (33 U.S.C. 577)
 		 Navigation Improvements
Section 111 – Shore Damage Prevention or Mitigation Caused by Federal Navigation Projects Rivers and Harbors Act of 1968, as amended (33 U.S.C. 426i)
 		 Prevention or mitigation of shore damage caused by Federal navigation projects
Section 204 – Beneficial Use of Dredged Material
 		 Water Resources Development Act of 1992, as amended (33 U.S.C. 2326) Beneficial Uses of Dredge Material/Regional Sediment Management
Section 205 – Flood Risk Management Flood Control Act of 1948, as amended (33 U.S.C. 701s)
 		 Flood Risk Management
 
Section 206 – Aquatic Habitat Ecosystem Restoration
 		 Water Resources Development Act of 1996, as amended (33 USC 2330)
 		 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration
Section 208 – Clearing and Snagging Projects
 		 Flood Control Act of 1954, as amended (33 U.S.C. 701g)
 		 Snagging and Clearing for Flood Risk Management
 
Section 1135 – Project Modifications for Improvement of the Environment
 		 Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended (33 U.S.C. 2309a)
 		 Project modifications for improvement of the environment1
 

 

 

About

The Planning Assistance to States program, also known as the Section 22 Program, is authorized by Section 22 of the Water Resource Development Act of 1974. This program authorizes the Corps to use its technical expertise in management of water and related land resources to help States deal with their water resource problems.

Upon request, the Corps of Engineers will cooperate with states in the preparation of plans for the development, utilization and conservation of water and related land resources located within the boundaries of the state. Assistance is given within the limits of available appropriations, but $500,000 is the maximum Federal funds available annually to any State. Cost sharing of this program is required by the non-Federal sponsor at 50 percent. The state's annual requests for assistance in addressing these resource problems are used to develop the Corps study program for that year.

A state's eligibility for planning assistance is determined by comparing the requested work items to the state's water and related land resource plan. Almost any non-federal entity can be a sponsor of a PAS study, including, but not limited to, a city, county, state agency, tribe, diking district, watershed council, etc. Another federal agency, private company or individual cannot be a sponsor.

Partnering

Process

Active Projects

Past Projects

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About

Partnering

Process

Active Projects

Past Projects

Contact

Public Involvement