Federal Judge Denies Injunction Against Detroit Reservoir Drawdown, Raising Concerns for North Santiam River
A federal judge has denied Marion County's request for a preliminary injunction to halt the planned drawdown of the Detroit Reservoir. This decision allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with lowering the reservoir to an elevation of 1,425 feet in 2026, with deeper drawdowns to 1,395 feet planned for subsequent years. The primary goal of these drawdowns is to facilitate the downstream migration of young salmon through the Detroit Dam, as part of federal requirements to aid protected fish populations. However, communities along the North Santiam River, including Stayton and Salem, are concerned about the potential for increased sediment in the water supply, which could impact water treatment facilities, fish habitats, and recreational activities. Marion County has announced its intention to appeal the ruling and seek an emergency injunction, indicating that the underlying lawsuit remains unresolved. The situation draws parallels to the Green Peter Reservoir drawdown, where significant issues ar...
