News Release
| Release Number: | 99-063 |
| Dated: | 7/15/1999 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- Do you know which Willamette Valley Project turns 50 this year? On Sunday, July 18, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will celebrate the anniversary of Dorena Dam with an open house between 11a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be tours of the dam, as well as historical photo displays. To get to the open house, take exit 174 from Interstate 5, follow Row River Road for about 4.5 miles and follow signs to Schwartz Campground.
Dorena Dam on the Row River about 6 miles east of Cottage Grove, Ore., was completed in 1949 at a cost of $14 million. Since then it has prevented more than $2 billion in flood damages.
Also, this week the Corps is staffing a booth about the history and construction of Cottage Grove and Dorena dams during Bohemia Mining Days. The booth was created in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The event is being held Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 18 in downtown Cottage Grove on Seventh Street. For more information about the events, call Becky Miner at (541) 942-5631.
Dorena Dam is one of the Corps' 13 multiple purpose water projects operated in the Willamette Valley. It provides damage reduction, irrigation, water-based recreation and improved navigation downstream. Three parks offer boating, swimming, sailing, fishing and water skiing.