Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers News Releases

UPDATE: Jan. 13 John Day Dam oil spill amount increases after further inspection – now 65 gallons

Press Operations — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 23:08:00 GMT

After continued inspections and repairs of failed equipment from a Jan. 13 oil loss, technicians at John Day Dam are now reporting the total loss oil to be 65 gallons. The original estimate (Jan. 13) was a loss of 25 gallons.

Turbine at The Dalles Dam spills up to 200 gallons of oil, Corps deploys booms, skimmers and removes unit from service

Press Operations — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 23:04:00 GMT

On Thursday, Dec. 3, a thrust hub cooling water pipe broke, spilling up to 200 gallons of oil into the Columbia River at The Dalles Dam. The equipment is part of a fish unit turbine designed to provide attraction water for migrating fish. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District is dedicated to rapid spill responses and is in the process of containing as much oil as possible. The turbine is now isolated from the river.

Corps replaces king piles, part of the “unsung heroes” of navigation

Press Operations — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 20:29:00 GMT

A $2.1 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to replace missing king piles, some of which have been in place since 1885. The project is part of a greater effort to repair pile dikes. In total, 68 new king pile markers sporadically from Puget Island (river mile 41) to Multnomah Falls (river mile 136) will go in.

Corps makes new changes to camping along Columbia River

Press Operations — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 14:48:00 GMT

Beginning Nov. 1, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will close all primitive camping areas for the season at The Dalles and John Day dams. These closures are part of a new camping policy the Corps is implementing this year.

Corps, utilities restore power to McKenzie River area after Holiday Farm Fire

Press Operations — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 20:02:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and several utilities successfully bring reliable power to the McKenzie River, Oregon area using Cougar Dam, Oct. 6. Lane Electric, Petersen Cat, Bonneville Power Administration and the Corps worked to “island” Blue River with the nearby dam.

Green Peter Dam less risky after extensive studies, rehab and assessment

Press Operations — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 16:09:00 GMT

After years of extensive studies, a risk assessment and recent rehabilitation of spillway gates, officials re-classify Green Peter Dam, near Sweet Home, Ore., as a Low Risk dam. Recent rehabilitation of the spillway tainter gates for trunnion friction and overall reliability have improved the risk characterization. These efforts along with a detailed review of the dam’s hazards, performance and consequences, helped decrease risks from the last assessment, which rated Green Peter as a High Risk dam.

Corps warns flooding likely after Oregon wildfires

Press Operations — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 20:33:00 GMT

The upcoming rainy season, combined with the historic wildfires in Oregon, set the stage for increased flooding conditions according to Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials. The potential for damage from these floods in the Willamette Valley, in the Umpqua River Basin, and along the Rogue River are significant.

Corps completes dredged material placement at Pancake Point on Puget Island in Washington state

Press Operations — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 22:18:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed dredged material placement at Pancake Point on Puget Island in Washington, Sept. 12, 2020.

Fall Creek Adult Fish Facility – Improving eFishencies

Press Operations — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 02:05:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report a record return of more than 800 spring chinook salmon this year at Fall Creek Dam.

Portland District Welcomes New Leader

Press Operations — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 20:34:00 GMT

Col. Michael D. Helton assumed command of the Corps of Engineers, Portland District as the District’s 63rd commander in a virtual change of command ceremony broadcast on YouTube.

Corps spills 100 gallons of oil at Bonneville Dam, removes unit from service

Press Operations — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 21:49:00 GMT

On Monday, July 13, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) discovered a Bonneville Dam turbine thrust bearing leaked approximately 100 gallons of oil into the Columbia River. The Corps is dedicated to rapid spill responses and is in the process of repairing the equipment. The generating unit is no longer leaking.

Reservoir refill conditions improve in Willamette Valley

Press Operations — Fri, 15 May 2020 19:17:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District anticipates better water refill across the Willamette Valley Project throughout the summer than previously forecast.

Corps relaxes restrictions for more recreation sites in Oregon

Press Operations — Fri, 15 May 2020 17:35:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) is easing restrictions at additional recreational sites.

Corps relaxes restrictions for more recreation sites in Oregon

Press Operations — Fri, 15 May 2020 17:35:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) is easing restrictions at additional recreational sites.