News Release
| Release Number: | 03-103 |
| Dated: | 7/2/2003 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.- An informational meeting to discuss this year's temporary water releases and potential impacts and the potential of future long-term contract releases is scheduled at 7 p.m., July 9 at the Heppner Elks Lodge, 142 Main St.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and Oregon Water Resource Department will have representatives present to discuss these topics.
The Corps completed an Environmental Assessment and 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 the temporary contracts are signed.
These temporary contracts for irrigation call for releases up to of 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.
A copy of the Environmental Assessment is available on the Corps website at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/pm/e/reports/willowcreekea.pdf .