Protect Detroit Lake

Update 6/23/25

Here are some Drawdown facts.

The drawdown will occur in the fall of 2026. Lawsuits were filed by multiple organizations to stop this litigation, and a ruling is pending.

The Detroit Reservoir will be drawn down 1,395 feet above sea level. This is a 55-foot drop below normal winter drawdown and the lowest in the dam’s history.

There will be no winter boat access to the Reservoir during the drawdown.

The City of Stayton and Marion County Commissioners have stated that this will have detrimental impacts on the drinking water in the valley.

Turbidity testing was not completed by the Army Corps. Water treatment facilities throughout the Willamette Valley are in grave danger. The sediment from the Reservoir could plug the systems. Repairs to systems can take months and are extremely expensive.

Salem supplies over 220,000 people. Stayton serves around 8,400 people. These numbers do not include the Farm, Agricultural, Mills, or other businesses that use water.

Risk of water shortages and poor water quality should be expected.

This year, almost all reservoirs around the state are seeing below-average levels. Oregon saw very little rain and snow this past year. Drought conditions are severe, and things are only getting worse.

Reservoirs provide water resources for wildfires. When they drop to these low levels, access to those resources becomes extremely limited.

Climate change and weather conditions like Super El Niños cause warmer temperatures on land and in the ocean. The projected weather for this fall and winter does not look good. Oregon is expected to have a warmer, drier winter with little to no rain or snow. The chances of refilling reservoirs are at risk under these conditions.

The Goal of the drawdown is to help Juvenile Salmon migrate past the dam.

Where’s the scientific proof that this actually works?

Could this be more harmful than good?

We know it will kill off all of the existing Kokanee in the reservoir. We saw this happen at Green Peter Reservoir.

We know the drinking water in Sweet Home, Lebanon, and Albany was severely impacted. Water quality was poor, and water treatment facilities were damaged.

What depths do Salmon typically swim in?

Is dependent on what stage of life the Salmon is in.

In the Rearing (Fry & Parr) phase, they like shallow water, 0.5-3 feet.

Downstream Migration (Smolts) are moving towards the ocean, so trying to get past the dam. Prefer the upper 10-20 feet of water. When encountering dams, they may dive deeper, 50 to 60 feet, for short periods of time. Under the drawdown conditions, Salmon will need to swim at least 50 feet below the surface to get through the dam gates.

Can the Salmon survive and pass through the gates?

We really don’t know.

After the Salmon move past the dam and make their way to the Ocean, they enter the Ocean rearing stage. As the Juvenile Salmon grows into a sub-adult, their depth range improves, and they begin to be able to swim at depths of 300-800 feet.

What would be the best option to help the Salmon?

Floating Surface collectors have shown promising results. One is currently being used in the Puget Sound. Puget Sound and government agencies, local Native American tribes, and other stakeholders worked together to make this happen.

Limit Salmon fishing

Reduce the Sea Lion population that feeds on the Salmon.

There are so many things that could be done that are far less drastic and less risky to human welfare!

The end goal should be to protect the drinking water of the Willamette Valley while trying to protect the Salmon.

Working together in a collaborative group and really examining the science is the best option for everyone.

Let’s make sure the actions we take today aren’t going to do more harm than good.

Written by Traci Evenson