News Release
| Release Number: | 98-060 |
| Dated: | 7/17/1998 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will increase water releases from Fall Creek Lake, near Lowell, Ore., to lower the reservoir so construction below the dam's regulating outlets can start later this month.
Agency regulators will increase water releases from the current 150 cubic feet per second to 500 cfs on Sunday, July 19. On Monday, July 20, the agency will again increase flows, this time to 1,000 cfs, where they will be held until about July 31. At that time, releases will be reduced and held at 30 cfs. This release of water will lower the reservoir by 10 feet (to elevation 820 feet).
The Corps is lowering the reservoir now so the stilling basin below the dam's regulating outlets can be repaired after July 31. The reservoir must be lowered now to make room for any additional water that may come into the lake during any storms while construction is underway.
Corps dam safety experts, during routine inspections, have noticed erosion within the basin during the past several years. The contractor will remove some of the old concrete using a hydro-blasting method and replace it with stronger concrete. The contract will be awarded about July 27.
Lowering the lake by 10 feet will have its effects on recreation around the lake.
"There is a lot of swimming at the day-use areas," said Wade Judy, park ranger. "[The swimmers] will have to stroll down the bank a little farther to go swimming." Boaters should be mindful of any submerged stumps and woody debris that may be under the water's surface. "Be extra careful of any possible obstacles. A little extra caution is always good," said Judy.