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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. A Water resource development project analyzes and tries to solve water resource issues of concern to local communities. Projects may involve improving navigation, managing floods, or restoring ecosystems.

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

 Identifying problems and opportunities

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

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

Current Projects

  • Section 107 Charleston Marina Navigation Study, Coos County, OR

    The Charleston Marina Navigation project, a collaboration between the Portland District and the Port of Coos Bay, aims to improve navigation and safety at the Charleston Marina Complex entrance channel in Oregon's Coos Bay Estuary. The project is currently in the Tentatively Selected Plan milestone, scheduled for Q4 FY24, and is considering alternatives like channel extension, breakwater modifications, and sediment management to address shoaling issues that impact commercial and recreational vessels. The goal is to reduce inefficiencies, improve safety, and maintain access to critical facilities within the marina.

General Investigations

General Investigation studies and projects, also known as Individually Authorized studies and projects, are the usual and most common way for us to help resolve a water resource problem. They involve jointly conducting a study with a sponsor. If the study can identify a feasible project, USACE can work with the sponsor to construct and implement it. For USACE to work with a sponsor on potential water resource development project, Congress must first authorize a feasibility study and second, separately authorize the project itself. The project studies and construction are cost-shared between the federal government and the sponsor, who usually pays all operations and maintenance costs once the project is construction. Project-specific federal costs for individually authorized studies or projects aren't limited, unlike the Continuing Authorities Program.

Continuing Authorities Program

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

The remaining tabs list the CAP authorities by Section, authorizing legislation, and purpose.

CAP Authority: Section 14 – Emergency Streambank and Shoreline Protection

Authorizing Legislation: Flood Control Act of 1946, as amended (33 U.S.C. 701r)

Purpose: Flood Risk Management

How to Partner (Cost Share)

CAP Authority Study Cost Project Cost

Section 14 – Emergency Streambank and Shoreline Protection

 Study is 100 percent Federal up to $100,000. Costs over $100,000 are shared 50/50 with the non-federal sponsor Design and construction costs are 65 percent Federal / 35 percent non-federal

 

CAP Authority: Beach Erosion and Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction

Authorizing Legislation: Rivers and Harbors Act of 1962 as amended (33 U.S.C. 426g)

Purpose: Coastal Storm Risk Management

How to Partner (Cost Share)

CAP Authority Study Cost Project Cost

Beach Erosion and Hurricane
and Storm Damage
Reduction

Study is 100 percent Federal up to $100,000.
Costs over $100,000 are shared 50/50
with the non-federal sponsor

 Design and construction costs
are 65 percent
Federal; 
35 percent
non-federal.

CAP Authority: Navigation Improvements

Authorizing Legislation: Rivers and Harbors Act of 1960, as amended (33 U.S.C. 577

Purpose: Navigation Improvements

How to Partner (Cost Share)

CAP Authority Study Cost Project Cost
Navigation Improvements

Study is 100 percent Federal up to $100,000.
Costs over $100,000 are split at 50/50 with
non-federal sponsor. 

 Design and construction costs are
65 percent Federal;
35 percent non-federal.

CAP Authority: Shore Damage Prevention or Mitigation Caused by Federal Navigation Projects

Authorizing Legislation: Rivers and Harbors Act of 1968, as amended (33 U.S.C. 426i)

Purpose: Prevention or mitigation of shore damage caused by Federal navigation projects

 

How to Partner (Cost Share)

CAP Authority Study Cost Project Cost

Shore Damage Prevention or Mitigation Caused by
Federal Navigation Projects

 Study is 100 percent Federal up to $100,000.
Costs over $100,000 share is in proportion of
Federal project causing damage.		 Cost share is in proportion of
Federal project causing damage

 

CAP Authority: Beneficial Use of Dredged Material

Authorizing Legislation: Water Resources Development Act of 1992, as amended (33 U.S.C. 2326)

Purpose: Beneficial Uses of Dredge Material/Regional Sediment Management

 

How to Partner (Cost Share)

CAP Authority Study Cost Project Cost
Beneficial Use of
Dredged Material		 Study is 100 percent Federal Design is 100 percent federal.
Construction of base plan is 100 percent federal.
Construction exceeding the base plan cost is
65 percent federal and 35 percent non-federal.

 

CAP Authority: Flood Risk Management

Authorizing Legislation: Flood Control Act of 1948, as amended (33 U.S.C. 701s)

Purpose: Flood Risk Management

 

How to Partner (Cost Share)

CAP Authority Study Cost Project Cost

Flood Risk Management

 Study is 100 percent Federal up to $100,000.
Costs over the $100,000 are shared
50/50 with the non-federal sponsor.		 Design and construction costs are
65 percent Federal/35 percent non-federal.

 

CAP Authority: Aquatic Habitat Ecosystem Restoration

Authorizing Legislation: Water Resources Development Act of 1996, as amended (33 USC 2330)

Purpose: Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration

How to Partner (Cost Share)

CAP Authority Study Cost Project Cost
Aquatic Habitat Ecosystem Restoration Study is 100 percent Federal up to $100,000.
Costs over the $100,000 are shared
50/50 with the non-federal sponsor.		 Design and construction costs are
65 percent Federal / 35 percent non-federal.

 

CAP Authority: Clearing and Snagging Projects

Authorizing Legislation: Flood Control Act of 1954, as amended (33 U.S.C. 701g)

Purpose: Snagging and Clearing for Flood Risk Management

How to Partner (Cost Share)

CAP Authority Study Cost Project Cost
Clearing and Snagging Projects Study is 100 percent Federal up to $100,000.
Costs over the $100,000 are shared
50/50 with the non-federal sponsor.

Design and construction costs are
65 percent Federal / 35 percent non-federal.

 

CAP Authority: Project Modifications for Improvement of the Environment

Authorizing Legislation: Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended (33 U.S.C. 2309a)

Purpose: Project modifications for improvement of the environment

How to Partner (Cost Share)

CAP Authority Study Cost Project Cost
Project Modifications for
Improvement of the Environment		 Study is 100 percent Federal up to $100,000.
Costs over the $100,000 are shared
50/50 with the non-federal sponsor.

Design and construction costs are
75 percent Federal / 25 percent non-federal

 

Planning and Technical Assistance

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 USACE to use its technical expertise in management of water and related land resources to help States deal with their water resource problems.

Upon request, USACE 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 USACE's 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.

USACE supports non-Federal sponsors by providing financial or technical assistance for the design and construction of water-related environmental infrastructure that is publicly-owned and operated. 

  • Clean Water Infrastructure: Water wells, water storage tanks, waterlines, supply system, and distribution facilities, etc.
  • Wastewater Infrastructure: Treatment plant, sewer lines, pump and lift stations, force mains, collection systems, etc.
  • Storm Water Management: Systems regulating the collection, storage, and movement of stormwater to reduce and filter runoff and improve water quality
  • Surface Water Resource Protection and Development: Facilities to maintain the quality of surface water for such purposes as municipal drinking water supply.

Portland District may provide assistance in locations authorized by Congress. Currently authorizations include:

  • Section 219 of WRDA 1992, as amended | Projects located in Albany, Brookings, Monroe, Newport, Lane County, Beaverton, Clackamas County, Washington County
  • Southwestern Oregon, Section 8359 | Projects located in Benton, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Josephine Counties
  • Oregon Environmental Infrastructure, Section 1348 | Projects located in Oregon

Through the Flood Plain Management Services (FPMS) program, USACE provides information on food hazards to local interests, state agencies, Tribal Nations, and other federal agencies to guide development of the floodplains and food-prone areas of the United States. The program’s objective is to foster public understanding of the options for dealing with food hazards and promote prudent use and management of the Nation’s floodplains and flood prone areas. The FPMS program provides a full range of technical services and planning guidance that is needed to support effective floodplain and flood risk management.