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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Release No: PA 17-023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 21, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">RESERVOIR DRAWDOWNS, DAM CONSTRUCTION IMPACT MCKENZIE RIVER RECREATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">PORTLAND, Ore. – Increased water releases from Cougar and Blue River dams will limit access to some recreation opportunities in those areas. The McKenzie River will also have higher than
normal flows as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reduces reservoir levels behind the dams to support maintenance and rehabilitation of the structures’ spillway gates.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The road over Cougar Dam will be closed July 27 to Nov. 30 while spillway gate repairs are underway. Visitors who are accustomed to driving across the dam to get to Echo day use and boat
launch and the East Fork lower trailhead will have a long (approximately 2-3 hour) drive to get to those sites. Access is via the Horse Creek (Forest Service Road 2638), spur road 356 and then onto FSR 1993. See https://go.usa.gov/xRb3V. Using FSR 19-500
past Slide Creek campground to access the Echo day use and boat launch sites is highly discouraged as the road is not suitable for passenger cars.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Boat ramps at Cougar Reservoir may not be accessible by Labor Day weekend due to the lower water levels. Saddle Dam boat ramp at Blue River Reservoir will be accessible, but Lookout boat
launch will be inaccessible after Sept. 1. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The water flow on the McKenzie River began rising July 15, and is expected to reach levels up to 3,200 cubic feet per second, creating a stronger current than normal. The Oregon State
Marine Board reminds boaters to be aware of potential hazards, such as downed trees and other debris. Boaters, especially paddlers, are encouraged to plan ahead and visit www.boatoregon.com to learn about reported navigation obstructions. Boaters should always
scout the river ahead of time and keep a sharp lookout. Report navigation obstructions to the Lane County Marine Patrol.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Flows will begin to recede after Sept. 1 as water releases slow from each of the dams. Water flow on the river is expected to be about 1,500 cfs after Sept. 15.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Corps is increasing daily water releases gradually from Cougar, with a target daily release of 500 cubic feet per second. Another gradual increase begins Aug. 1, with water releases
to eventually reach 1,000 cfs. Normal water release for this time of year is about 580 cfs.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Water managers also will increase daily water releases gradually from Blue River reservoir to reach about 500 cfs by Aug. 1. Normal daily release from the dam is about 300 cfs.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">For the most up-to-date information, please view the Corps’ “Teacup” diagrams at http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nwp/teacup/willamette/.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates 13 dam and reservoir projects in the Willamette River drainage system. Each dam contributes to a water resource management system that provides
flood damage reduction, power generation, irrigation, water quality improvement, fish and wildlife habitat and recreation on the Willamette River and many of its tributaries. Since their completion, the dams have cumulatively prevented over $20 billion in
flood damages to the Willamette Valley. For more information, visit https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/v/home.asp.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">– 30 –<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Michelle Helms, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 503-808-4517
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jude McHugh, U.S. Forest Service, 541-225-6305<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ashley A. Massey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Legislative Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Public Information Officer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Oregon State Marine Board<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">503-378-2623<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img width="145" height="144" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D30232.7402D780" alt="EclipseEmail"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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