From: Native Fish Society June 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, posted a press release on Tuesday outlining its plan for operating Willamette Valley Dams. Immediate actions include a deep drawdown for Detroit Reservoir as well as seasonal drawdowns / water-spills, and fish-weir operations at “key facilities” to aid in downstream migration, volitional passage, and improve water quality.
Specific, tailored operations include…
- Green Peter – Deep fall drawdown & spring spill
- Lookout Point – Deep fall drawdown & spring spillway usage
- Cougar – Deep fall drawdown & delayed spring reservoir refill
- Foster – Delayed spring refill and use of summer attraction-flow fish weir
- Hills Creek – Prioritized nighttime winter water releases
- Big Cliff – Spill across multiple bays to reduce total dissolved gas levels
By drawing down the Willamette River Basin reservoirs, the Corps can return the river to a more natural flow and restore endangered salmon populations. Deep drawdowns allow juvenile fish to migrate more easily by reducing the length of the reservoirs while also allowing the fish to access lower outlets on the dams, avoiding dangerous turbines.
