USACE News

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Work Life Balance — Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

'As millions of Americans plan visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers for the 2025 recreation season, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible and thoughtful activities in, on and around open water. ...'

5/7/2025
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Tag: Columbia

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February

1 Feb 2021
Containing the Flood of 1996
One of the biggest floods the Portland District faced in the late 20th century occurred in February 1996 and caused millions of dollars in damage to the region. The District played a crucial role in combating this flood 's impact through a variety of short-term and long-term activities.

News Releases

Tag: Columbia

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22 Jan 2021
UPDATE: Jan. 13 John Day Dam oil spill amount increases after further inspection – now 65 gallons
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.
3 Dec 2020
Turbine at The Dalles Dam spills up to 200 gallons of oil, Corps deploys booms, skimmers and removes unit from service
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.
29 Oct 2020
Corps makes new changes to camping along Columbia River
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.
21 Oct 2020
Winter changes to Lower Columbia River recreational lock schedule
Recreational boaters who need to move through the three lower Columbia River dams’ locks must do so during daylight hours, on request. This change began September 30 and will continue until May 15, 2021 at Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day. This is an annual and a regularly scheduled part of operations during the winter season.
15 Jul 2020
Corps spills 100 gallons of oil at Bonneville Dam, removes unit from service
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.
17 May 2020
20-023 Corps begins flexible spring spill operations to benefit fish and hydropower
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began implementing its 2020 Fish Operations Plan at the four lower Snake River dams April 3 and at the lower Columbia River dams April 10.
9 Apr 2020
Comment period to close soon on Columbia River System Operations draft environmental impact statement and preferred alternative
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration continue to welcome comments on the draft Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement through April 13, 2020.