News Release
| Release Number: | 08-145 |
| Dated: | 9/16/2008 |
| Contact: | Amy Echols, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore. – Dam operators will begin lowering the reservoir at Foster Dam today, the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced.
The Corps is drawing the reservoir down earlier than usual to prepare for major repairs to the spillway gates, currently scheduled to begin in late October. The reservoir will reach its minimum pool of 613 ft. by Sept. 22. Normally, the reservoir reaches this level in mid-November.
“The gate repair work will restore flood protection benefits to the area and allow us to meet our primary mandate–the protection of public safety,” stated Erik Petersen, operations manager for the Corps' 13 Willamette Valley dams.
In October, the Corps will provide additional information to the public through local meetings and the media about plans for winter operations at Foster Dam. Until the Corps completes repairs to the first gate in January, operations will be significantly different from normal, with possible increased river flows during the repairs.
The Corps typically begins releasing water from its reservoirs in the Willamette Valley in late September to prepare the reservoirs for the winter flood season. Other Corps reservoirs will reach their minimum pool by late October to mid-November.
The Corps completed construction of Foster Dam in 1968. Its primary operating purposes are flood damage reduction, recreation and power production. The dam has a two-generator powerhouse capable of producing 20 megawatts of electricity.