News Release
| Release Number: | 99-078 |
| Dated: | 9/2/1999 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.--Water releases from 13 Willamette Valley reservoirs will increase during the next several weeks as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepares for winter operations.
Starting Tuesday, Sept. 7, the Corps will increase the amount of water released from Big Cliff, Blue River, Detroit, Dorena, Fall Creek, Fern Ridge, Foster, Green Peter and Hills Creek dams [please see below for amounts]. Increased releases will begin at Cottage Grove Dam Sept. 14 and at Cougar Dam Oct. 1. Operators will maintain current operations at Lookout Point and Dexter dams.
Fern Ridge Reservoir, near Eugene, is being lowered earlier than normal this year to aid in the completion of an environmental restoration project at the southeast corner of the reservoir. On Tuesday, Sept. 7, the Corps will begin lowering the reservoir level 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.
Each year, the Corps must have the reservoirs lowered by Nov. 30, except for Green Peter, to be ready for fall and winter rain and runoff. The reservoirs are lowered slowly to minimize impacts on reservoir and downstream river users. Since their construction, Corps flood damage reduction projects in Oregon have prevented more than $20 billion in flood damages.
"We delay lowering the reservoirs until after Labor Day because we know many people use them during the holiday weekend," said Chan Modini, reservoir regulator.
Recreational opportunities will still be available at each location even though the reservoirs will be slowly lowered. "Most Corps parks and campgrounds will remain open through mid-September with some closing at the end of the month," said Dick Lamster, park manager. "Also, low-water boat ramps, which allow some boaters to use the facilities throughout the fall, winter and spring, are available at most of the reservoirs, except Big Cliff."
Boaters using the reservoirs should use extra caution during the fall and winter months. Because of lower water levels, stumps and other hazards that may be submerged during the summer are exposed during the winter.
Reservoir Current Releases Increased Releases **
Big Cliff 1,150 1,700 (9/7)
Blue River 50 250 (9/7), 500 (9/9), 680 (9/10)
Cottage Grove 50 200 (9/14), 290 (9/15)
Cougar 700 900 (10/1)
Detroit 1,150 1,700 (9/7)
Dexter 2,500 2,500
Dorena 115 450 (9/7)
Fall Creek 135 800 (9/7)
Fern Ridge 40 400 (9/7), 800 (10/9)
Foster 650 800 (9/7), 1,500 (9/22)
Green Peter 510 680 (9/7), 1,380 (9/22)
Hills Creek 510 1,000 (9/7), 1,500 (9/8)
Lookout Point 2,500 2,500
** Release amounts are in cubic feet per second (cfs) and are estimations based on current forecast data and models. These release amounts can be adjusted as conditions dictate.