The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is planning to release flow pulse from Cougar Dam on the South Fork McKenzie River as soon as Friday, March 6th for up to five days. The release will result in higher and faster-moving water for up to five days, which will create potentially hazardous conditions for recreational users and may cause minor inundation in low-lying areas downstream of the dam to the confluence of the South Fork McKenzie and the mainstem McKenzie Rivers. The increased flows will help move juvenile spring Chinook salmon and bull trout downstream, supporting ongoing fish passage efforts in the McKenzie River Basin. The water releases are also intended to activate recently restored side channels and floodplain areas, which improves the ecosystem and creates better rearing habitat for fish.
While these releases are within the dam’s standard operational range, they do not coincide with naturally occurring higher inflows. Recreators who are used to a lower river and no significant rain may be surprised by the rapid increase in flow. The USACE primary goal is to ensure the safety of the public by warning recreational users (boaters, anglers, campers, hikers, etc.) of these changing river conditions. We are reaching out to you to help us coordinate public communication efforts.
