Northwestern Division

USACE temporarily closes recreation areas, habitat management units in response to area wildfires

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:30:11 GMT

STARBUCK, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District has temporarily closed several recreation areas and habitat management units near Little Goose Lock and Dam because of active wildfires in the region.

Below normal runoff continues in the Upper Missouri Basin

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:08:34 GMT

July runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa was 2.0 million acre-feet (MAF), 61% of average. Runoff was below-normal to well-below-normal in the Fort Peck, Garrison, and Oahe reaches due to lack of precipitation, dry soils, and below-average mountain snowpack. Runoff was above normal in the Fort Randall and Gavins Point reaches and near normal in the Sioux City reach.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin seasonal Lucky Peak Reservoir drawdown on Aug. 10

Press Operations — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:06:41 GMT

BOISE, Idaho – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, in coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation, will begin the seasonal drawdown of Lucky Peak Reservoir on Monday, Aug. 10, in preparation for fall and winter operations.

Goats return to Mill Creek for levee management

Press Operations — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:42:36 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Walla Walla District will use a herd of goats and sheep to remove weeds and other vegetation along the levees bordering the shoreline from the Mill Creek Diversion Dam downstream to the metal footbridge near the Mill Creek Office.

Yakima Delta Habitat Management Unit to temporarily close for Amon Creek restoration

Press Operations — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:22:00 GMT

RICHLAND, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has temporarily closed the Columbia Park Trail parking lot and surrounding habitat area at the Yakima Delta Habitat Management Unit from Aug. 4 to 14 to accommodate the start of a major ecosystem restoration project.

Dworshak Dam to increase flows to support temperature stabilization

Press Operations — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:50:59 GMT

AHSAHKA, Idaho – Dworshak Dam water releases will gradually increase starting tonight, rising from approximately 8,700 cubic feet per second to 13,000 cfs by Friday, August 7.

The Walla Walla District welcomes Lt. Col. Douglas Droesch

Joshua Glenn — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 21:41:00 GMT

On July 15, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District held its change of command ceremony at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, where Lt. Col. Kathryn Werback relinquished command to Lt. Col. Douglas Droesch.

Mill Creek Fish Ladder Project reaches next milestone toward completion

Press Operations — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:20:28 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Contractors recently completed construction of the upstream northeast and northwest retaining walls at the Mill Creek Fish Ladder Project. These walls will connect to the upstream gate wall and fish ladder exit, expected to be completed by October. The retaining walls will allow the project to enter its next phase without reinstalling a cofferdam during the upcoming high-water season.

Drought vs. drawdown at Detroit reservoir: Top 5 questions answered

Press Operations — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:44:51 GMT

This summer, visitors to and residents near Detroit Reservoir are noticing lower-than-average water levels.

Heat broils eastern Washington, Idaho as federal water managers seek to salve river temperatures. Enter Dworshak Dam – calm, cool (water) and collected.

Press Operations — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:52:13 GMT

The Clearwater and Snake rivers converge at Lewiston and the hot water from those two rivers mixing there is dangerous for salmon and steelhead that prefer cooler water temperatures. As dire as this can be, there is one tool the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has to help cool the river – Dworshak Dam, also near Orofino. Salmon are cold-water species and migrate most efficiently at 65 degrees, according to Chris Peery, fish biologist for Walla Walla District.

The simply written stories of the complicated Bonneville Dam safety classification: Bonneville Dam is really complicated

Andria Allmond — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:01:04 GMT

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of news commentaries on the Bonneville Dam safety reclassification. In this edition, the author will explain the basis of the reclassification, with future articles addressing specific aspects influencing the reclassification and evaluation. 

White River Basin communities invited to open house for Mud Mountain Dam Water Control Manual update

Press Operations — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:37:00 GMT

Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District will host an open house Sept. 1 in Auburn, Washington to inform the public about the district’s efforts to update Mud Mountain Dam’s Water Control Manual. USACE developed this proposed update to better balance the MMD’s finite reservoir capacity with flood risk reduction for the lower Puyallup and White River communities. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about the associated environmental review process and how to provide comments for the draft supplemental environmental assessment.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin seasonal Lucky Peak Reservoir drawdown

Press Operations — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:21:00 GMT

BOISE, Idaho — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, in coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation, plans to begin gradually lowering the pool elevation of Lucky Peak Reservoir during the week of Aug. 10 as part of normal seasonal water management operations.

Water Follies visitors urged to protect shoreline vegetation

Press Operations — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:14:00 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – As the Tri-Cities prepares for the annual Water Follies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, is reminding visitors that shoreline vegetation along the Columbia River serves an important purpose for fish, wildlife, and the health of our communities and the river ecosystem.

Col. Brendan “Mac” McEvoy assumes command of USACE Portland District

Press Operations — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:25:24 GMT

Army Col. Brendan John “Mac” McEvoy became the 65th commander of the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, during a change-of-command ceremony at the district’s downtown headquarters today.

USACE dams reduced flood risk during December 2025 storms, helped prevent billions in potential damages

Louis R. Velasco — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:18:00 GMT

During one of western Washington's most significant flood events in recent history in December 2025, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood risk management dams, water managers and emergency response operations helped reduce flood risk across the Puget Sound region by holding back peak flows, protecting communities, and helping prevent an estimated $8.7 billion in potential flood damages.

USACE Walla Walla District welcomes new commander

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Lt. Col. Kathryn A. Werback relinquished command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, to Lt. Col. Douglas D. Droesch, during a change of command ceremony held in Walla Walla, Washington, July 15.

Strengthening water partnerships: USACE water manager partners with Northwest River Forecast Center

Abigail Chipps — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:36:00 GMT

For the past four years, Kyle Comanor has managed water flows at dams near and within the greater Seattle area. In his role as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Seattle District’s senior water manager for western Washington, communicating with other agencies, especially those who forecast, is critical in making water management decisions that positively impact recreational water use, flood risk reduction and public safety.

During historically dry year, USACE to hold virtual public meeting about Lost Creek, Applegate reservoir levels

Press Operations — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:52:31 GMT

Army water managers will hold a virtual public information meeting July 22 to discuss historically low water levels and the summer forecast for the Rogue River Basin.

USACE to discuss low Willamette Valley reservoir levels at virtual public meeting

Press Operations — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:43:00 GMT

Water managers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will hold a virtual public information meeting July 23 to share the latest summer water forecast and discuss ongoing drought conditions across the Willamette Valley’s 13 federal reservoirs.