News Release
| Release Number: | 04-106 |
| Dated: | 5/25/2004 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. - Though a dry spring has hindered efforts to fill most Willamette Valley reservoirs by Memorial Day, water enthusiasts still will have a number of useable boat ramps to choose from, said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
According to a recent computerized model run, which takes into account current and projected weather conditions and required downstream water releases, the following reservoirs will have accessible boat ramps through the weekend: Fern Ridge, Detroit, Fall Creek, Hills Creek, Cottage Grove, Dorena and Blue River. More boat ramp information is available on the Corps website at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil.
Lookout Point, Hills Creek and Green Peter reservoirs were deeply drawn down this spring to provide downstream flows for migrating juvenile steelhead and adult chinook salmon in the mainstem Willamette River. All of the other reservoirs, however, will be at or near full over the holiday weekend, said Matt Rea, the Corps' Willamette Basin coordinator.
For example, Foster Reservoir is full and will be cleared of debris before this weekend. Detroit Reservoir is projected to be full, at elevation 1563.5 feet or slightly higher and, at 831.95 feet, Dorena Reservoir is full. Other reservoirs' projected elevations are: Fern Ridge Reservoir, 373.3 feet, about 1/4 foot from full; Fall Creek, 824.0 feet, 6 feet below full; Cottage Grove, 788.6 feet, 1.4 feet below full; Blue River, 1343.6 feet, 6.4 feet from full; Hills Creek, 1525.0 feet, 16 feet below full; Lookout Point, 878 feet, 48 feet from full; and Green Peter, 971.5 feet, 38.5 feet from full.
Dexter and Big Cliff pools, located respectively below Lookout Point and Detroit dams, will continue to operate in their normal ranges. These pools rise and fall daily and operate to smooth out downstream flows from power generation operations.
The reservoirs are most likely at their highest elevations for the season, Rea said, since later in the summer and fall, the Corps augments natural flows with releases from reservoirs to maintain water quality, protect aquatic species, and meet downstream needs for irrigation and municipal water supplies.
"It's frustrating for us to not be able to meet the needs of all our customers all the time, but we are dependent on Mother Nature," Rea said, acknowledging that Willamette Valley reservoirs are prime summer recreation spots for many people. Because of the lower-than-normal water levels, stumps and other underwater hazards will be more prevalent. The Corps encourages the public to practice safety while visiting Willamette Basin reservoirs.
Those who will be enjoying the water downstream of the reservoirs also should be aware of anticipated fluctuations in river levels as the Corps adjusts it releases to meet June's lower downstream flow targets, Rea said. The required releases are closely coordinated with NOAA Fisheries, the federal agency that is responsible for managing salmon and steelhead listed at threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
On the North Santiam River, outflows from Detroit Dam are expected to be at about 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) through May 31. If it rains, however, flows could rise to 3,500 cfs. Flows from Foster Dam on the South Santiam are expected to be about 1,100 cfs over the weekend, possibly slightly higher-in the 2,000 cfs range-if it rains.
On the McKenzie River, flows from Blue River Reservoir are expected to be at about 1,200 cfs to 2,500 cfs (if it rains) as measured at Waterloo.
On the Middle Fork, flows from Dexter Dam should be in the 3,000 cfs range going into the Memorial Day weekend, and then dropping to about 2,500 cfs by Monday.
The Corps coordinates a delicate balancing act when managing its multiple purpose projects. In the summer, two of the most prevalent competing needs are recreation and water quality. Other authorized purposes the Corps balances include fisheries, flood damage reduction, hydroelectric power production, irrigation, navigation, and municipal and industrial needs.
Water management plans are based on water runoff forecasts and on recommendations from state and federal agencies, including: NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Forest Service, the Oregon Water Resources Department, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Oregon State Marine Board.