News Release
| Release Number: | 03-102 |
| Dated: | 7/2/2003 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed an Environmental Assessment for releasing water from Willow Creek Reservoir, in Heppner, Ore. to fulfill temporary contracts for irrigation.
The Corps determined that the proposed action would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.
The Corps will begin releasing water in response to a request from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation once their contracts are signed.
These temporary contracts for irrigation call for releases up to 3,343 acre-feet of stored water to be applied to 1,241 acres of land. Since Willow Creek Lake has filled to its normal full pool elevation of 2,076.5 feet and the project was authorized for 3,500 acre-feet of storage for future irrigation use, the Corps has determined that the full amount of storage is available.
The release of the stored water will cause an earlier than normal drawdown of the reservoir. Depending on irrigators' needs and weather conditions, the Corps will release at a rate of up to 20 cfs. The drawdown will potentially reduce the size of the reservoir from about 157 acres to about 90 acres by Sept. 30 or down to elevation 2047.7 feet.
The boat ramp provides access to the lake at elevation 2032; a handicapped accessible dock provide access to elevation 2063.5, and a floating dock provides access and boat tie-ups alongside the ramp to elevation 2047. Some reduction in recreation use can be expected.
During the proposed drawdown for irrigation, water quality will be monitored to try to meet the temperature standard while avoiding the release of low dissolved oxygen, and high hydrogen sulfide water. If necessary, the regulating outlet, normally located 17 feet below the surface, can be moved closer to the surface to adjust water quality improving dissolved oxygen and reducing hydrogen sulfide and associated odor problems.
An informational meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m., July 9 at the Heppner Elks Lodge, 142 Main St. The Corps, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and Oregon Water Resource Department will have representatives present to discuss this year's temporary water releases and potential impacts. The potential of future long-term contract releases also will be discussed.
A final Environmental Impact Statement on constructing Willow Creek Dam and Reservoir was issued in December 1979. Storage for irrigation was an authorized project purpose; however, impacts of irrigation withdrawal were not addressed because there was not an immediate need for irrigation water.
For more information on the Environmental Assessment visit the Corps website at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/pm/e/reports/willowcreekea.pdf .
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber declared a drought temporary in Eastern Oregon in September 2001 that is still in effect. Subsequent to the declaration, the Bureau of Reclamation received requests from irrigators for the release of water stored at Willow Creek Reservoir. Without the water releases, farmers in the Willow Creek area expect severe economic losses.
A previous drought temporary declared in 1992 led to temporary contracts for irrigation water that year. Irrigation water has not been contracted from Willow Creek Reservoir storage since that time. Should irrigation be proposed as a long-term use, a supplemental information report would be prepared by the Corps to address impacts.