Detroit Lake Reservoir

FILE - Detroit Lake sits at a low water level during its typical winter drawdown, in Detroit, Ore., on Dec. 6, 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering a plan to gradually lower Detroit Lake to its lowest levels ever starting in the fall of 2026 in an effort to help threatened Chinook salmon swim downstream.

In 2 lawsuits, Oregon communities say plan to help fish could harm drinking water

Courtney Sherwood

Two lawsuits filed over the past week allege the drinking water systems that serve more than a quarter of a million Willamette Valley residents are being harmed by a federal agency that says it’s trying to help threatened fish.

The water level is low at Detroit Lake during its typical winter drawdown, in Detroit, Ore., on Dec. 6, 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering a plan to gradually lower Detroit Lake to its lowest levels ever starting in the fall of 2026, in an effort to help threatened Chinook salmon swim downstream.

Environment

Feds plan on lowering Detroit Lake to lowest levels ever. That has locals concerned

Joni Auden Land

The small city of Detroit relies heavily on its reservoir to boost the local economy.

An instrument sits under the water, covered by green algae

Science & Technology

Oregon State study finds the principal cyanotoxin in Detroit Lake abruptly switched in 2018, but both were known strains

Karen Richards

A recent Oregon State University study found that the primary cyanotoxin in Detroit Lake suddenly changed in 2018, and the bacteria strain that’s currently dominant lives longer, so harmful blooms may contaminate Detroit Lake for more days, each year.

Fresh water flows to be collected and treated at the Salem Public Works’ water filtration facility in Stayton, Ore., July 31, 2025. Despite a state of emergency declaration, state officials confirm that Salem water is completely safe to drink.

Environment

What to know about Salem’s water emergency and what’s being done to prevent it

Natalie Pate

Take a look inside the Salem water treatment facility at the heart of a major regional conversation.

Looking southeast on Detroit Lake, April 14, 2021.

Environment

Salem approves emergency declaration over drinking water

Amanda Linares

The declaration is tied to an upcoming deep drawdown of the Detroit Lake Reservoir, which is set to take place next fall, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.