Army Corps plans for more gradual Detroit Lake drawdown amid drinking water concerns

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public feedback on a deep drawdown of Detroit Lake planned for late 2026 that could temporarily overwhelm filters that handle the city of Salem’s drinking water.

The Army Corps is now planning a more gradual drawdown of the reservoir over several years, a move intended to reduce the downstream impact on communities that rely on the North Santiam River for drinking water. That’s according to a new…