Low water in Detroit Lake sparks concern, meeting

DETROIT — For the second year in a row, low water in Detroit Lake is likely to affect recreation and tourism in the Santiam Canyon.

The reservoir east of Salem is projected to drop to 1,544 feet above sea level by July 23, marking the lake’s third-lowest level on that date since 2000.

Docks in the lake will hit dry land by August, and marinas will be forced to cut back their moorage for boat owners.

It’s an unwelcome development in this tourist-dependent town, especially after last summer’s even lower water levels.

“The tough thing is that it’s been a phenomenal year up to this point,” said Scott Lunski, owner of Detroit Lake Marina. “But in a few weeks, this will make an impact, and it hurts everybody. August is the busiest month — it’s the money-making month — and to have this happen is very disappointing.”

Should Detroit Lake be managed differently?

To look for solutions, the Federal Lakes Committee in Detroit is hosting a collection of agencies and lawmakers at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20 at Gates Fire Hall.

The public is welcome to listen to a presentation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the lake, and give testimony to lawmakers in attendance, including Oregon Congressman Kurt Schrader.

The hope is to find long-term solutions for businesses like Detroit Lake and Kane’s marinas, which have to shorten their seasons or reduce operations in low water years.

The ripple effect of less boats on the water is fewer dollars flowing through town, harming jobs and the economy, said Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron.

“What we hope to do is come up with a plan to help these guys in the long run,” said Cameron, who has a house in Detroit and keeps a boat at the lake. “It’s a big hit to people up here, who are trying to make ends meet.”

Detroit Lake Marina will continue to offer boat rentals and gas, and will keep its store open until Labor Day. Beginning this week, however, it will reduce its moorage — the number of boats parked at its docks.

Detroit Reservoir breaks record for summertime low water

Last year, Detroit Lake and Kane’s marinas had to move their docks entirely to stay in business, as the reservoir dropped to the lowest summertime levels in its history.

Detroit Lake marinas join forces to save summer season

The reality of facing these challenges two years in a row — and the possibility it could become a more common occurrence — makes the meeting a crucial one for Lunski.

“If the Corps can’t alter the way they manage the reservoir level, they need to help businesses adapt to where the water level is typically going to be,” Lunski said.

Despite a year that has seen near normal precipitation, Detroit Lake never reached its full conservation pool of 1563.5 feet because of an abnormally dry spring. The reservoir does the bulk of its filling during the spring.

Flood control is the primary purpose of Detroit Lake — the reservoir must maintain enough space during winter to absorb a “100 year storm event” like the floods of 1964 and 1996.

At the same time, since 2008, the Corps have been required to release a certain amount of water for threatened spring Chinook and winter steelhead in the Willamette Basin. The requirement for fish explains why the reservoir was dropping its level even before it reached a full pool this year.

Dropping water forces downsizing of Detroit ‘marina’

“We have required flows that address the migration, spawning, incubation and rearing life cycles for fish,” Ian Chane, fisheries biologist and program manager for the Corps, told the Statesman Journal in May. “Historically, we didn’t have these requirements, but they are now mandated.”

Recreation, by contrast, isn’t a top priority for the Corps.

“The frustration is understandable,” said Michelle Helms, public affairs specialist for the Corps. “We’ve been very conservative with our releases, but we have to meet the minimum requirements for fish conservation.” 

Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for eight years. He is the author of the book “Hiking Southern Oregon” and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Zach Urness or @ZachsORoutdoors on Twitter.

Meeting about the future of Detroit Lake
Who: Federal and state agencies, along with lawmakers, will make a presentation on water levels at Detroit Lake. The public is invited to comment. 
When: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 20
Where: Gates Fire Hall, 101 E Sorbin St, Gates
More information: Email djwhite@wvi.com 

Detroit Lake water levels on July 23

2000 — 1563 feet above sea level

2001 — 1487

2002 — 1562

2003 — 1558

2004 — 1561

2005 — 1561

2006 — 1562

2007 — 1556

2008 — 1563

2009 — 1558

2010 — 1561

2011 — 1561

2012 — 1563

2013 — 1559

2014 — 1559

2015 — 1488

2016 — 1544 (projected)