Protect Detroit Lake

7/31/2026

For those of you wondering how Salmon pass through Dam systems, we have provided a YouTube link below.

We have asked the Army Corps to share the science behind this drawdown and have received nothing!

Every Dam is built slightly differently. Detroit’s is significantly taller than the one in the video.

Salmon are going to experience some trauma moving through the dam systems. Can they survive that trauma? Time will tell.

A surface collector in front of the dam is the best option and is less stressful on the Salmon. It’s not an option, though, because the Army Corps doesn’t have the funds to build one. The drawdown costs them nothing!

7/14/2026

A major step forward in our fight to protect Detroit Lake.

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas have sent a formal letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers urging them to delay the proposed Detroit Reservoir drawdown until communities are prepared and drinking water is protected.

Please read the letter attached below for the full details and help spread the word. Every voice matters in protecting Detroit Lake and the communities that depend on it.

https://go.fliplink.me/.../24060799-982D-4607-98E7...

Update 6/23/26

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

6/22/2026

Here’s an update on the Save the Lake Campaign. This past year Detroit Lake Foundation hired CFM Advocates to be our voice in Washington D.C.

They developed and executed a comprehensive advocacy strategy to engage key decision-makers in Congress and the Administration, ensuring the concerns of Detroit Lake community were heard at the highest levels.

CMF also led multiple high-level meetings to advance Detroit Lake Community’s concerns with the House of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, White House Council on Environmental Quality, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA Fisheries, and the offices of Rep. Salinas, Rep. Bynum, Sen. Wyden and Sen. Merkley.

CMF drafted and submitted a formal public comment letter detailing concerns with the Army Corps’ Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).

Produced advocacy and communication materials to support and coordinate a robust public response to the Army Corps’ SEIS.

Successfully partnered with the congressional delegation to secure an extension of the public comment period for the SEIS, allowing the community more time to be heard. If you recall, the comment period fell over the holidays, which made it hard for folks to attend.

Collaborated with the congressional partners to advance multiple legislative initiatives addressing the dam drawdown and long-term operational framework (Lake Curve Fill rules and guidelines)

Some of the initiatives CMF started for us are still underway.

Ensuring Safe drinking water for the Willamette Valley, protecting Recreation and Economic stability of Detroit and the Santiam Canyon is our top priority!