News Release
| Release Number: | 99-072 |
| Dated: | 8/6/1999 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.--The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will begin restoring a 300-acre section of Fern Ridge marshland to a more natural wetland state Sunday, Aug. 15, agency officials announced today.
The agency will not, however, begin lowering the reservoir until Tuesday, Sept. 7. Previously, the reservoir was to be lowered beginning Sunday, Aug. 1.
Corps officials met with representatives from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Ducks Unlimited this week to evaluate all the options to determine the best way to proceed with the restoration project while minimizing the impacts to recreational users of the reservoir.
"We understand the people of Eugene want to enjoy this reservoir for as long as possible during the summer," said Martin Hudson, chief of the Corps planning office in Portland. "However, we must complete this environmental restoration project before the fall rains begin."
Construction will begin on or about Aug. 15. Work will take place in those areas already out of the water due to natural lowering of the reservoir during the summer months. Material will be removed from the Amazon Creek construction site and placed in the Fern Ridge marsh area. The project has been reduced by about 50 acres and several of the levee segments have been realigned to avoid areas of deeper water.
On Tuesday, Sept. 7, the Corps will begin lowering the reservoir level at Fern Ridge to reach elevation 371 feet by about Sept. 16. Water releases will be about 400 cubic feet per second and will result in an average drop in the reservoir level of about 1 1/4 inches per day.
The reservoir is expected to be at elevation 370 feet by about Sept. 28. The reservoir will be further lowered in preparation for winter operations after Oct. 1.
"I would like to thank the people of Lane County and the area's Congressional delegation for their input and patience during the past month," said Hudson. "We want everyone to know their input did make a difference in how this project is proceeding."
Originally, the Corps was to begin lowering the Fern Ridge reservoir on Aug. 1, however, recreational boaters openly criticized that plan because it would have shortened their summer recreation season.