Protect the Future of Detroit Lake and the Santiam Canyon!

Donations accepted at: https://www.detroitlakefoundation.org/save-our-lake

Donations on this website go to change.org. For local impact, visit Detroit Lake Foundation. Link above. 

In December 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), under the direction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced plans to drastically draw down Detroit Lake as part of the Willamette Basin BiOp (Biological Opinion) implementation.

 

This action is being justified under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which NOAA is using to mandate these changes. However, the ESA has not been meaningfully updated since 1973—over 50 years ago. The environmental and climate challenges we face today are vastly different from those of the early 1970s, yet the law has not evolved to reflect the modern complexities of wildfire recovery, water management, and regional ecological balance.

 

This raises a critical question:

 

How Do You Protect One Species While Ignoring the Full Impact on an Entire Ecosystem?

 

NOAA claims this plan is necessary for fish passage and salmon recovery. However, no comprehensive studies have been conducted on how this drawdown will affect all wildlife, drinking water, or the long-term stability of the post-wildfire landscape.

 

The 2020 wildfires devastated the Santiam Canyon. Now, NOAA and USACE are proposing a drastic change to water levels without understanding how this will impact the fragile recovery of the ecosystem. If climate change is a true concern, then why is there no climate impact study on what this will do to:

 • Drinking water availability and quality for communities that rely on Detroit Lake

 • The survival of Kokanee salmon and other native fish species

 • Wildlife populations and their habitats already struggling post-fire

 • Erosion, sediment shifts, and long-term land stability in a region still recovering from fire damage

 

If NOAA and USACE truly want to make an environmentally responsible decision, they must consider all aspects of the ecosystem—not just one species.

 

Federal Government Failures: Is the Left Hand Talking to the Right?

 

This is where the problem lies: The federal government is making sweeping decisions without talking to local governments, experts, or the communities directly affected.

 • NOAA is directing USACE, but where is the state, county, or local government in this conversation?

 • Why hasn’t there been a collaborative approach between federal agencies to address all climate concerns—not just fish passage?

 • Why hasn’t USACE conducted post-wildfire studies before taking action that could have catastrophic consequences?

 

When federal agencies fail to communicate with each other and ignore local input, bad policy is inevitable.

 

We Demand a Responsible, Science-Backed Plan

 

We urge NOAA, USACE, and all decision-makers to:

 1. Conduct a Comprehensive Environmental & Economic Impact Study – Evaluate how the drawdown will affect drinking water, fish populations, landscape shifts, erosion risks, and the economy of the entire Santiam Canyon.

 2. Engage with Local Communities & Government Officials – The people who live here deserve a voice in decisions that will change their lives. If NOAA is directing USACE, then local leaders need to be involved in the conversation.

 3. Develop Alternative Strategies – Explore solutions that meet environmental goals without destroying the Santiam Canyon’s economy and ecosystem.

 

Sign the Petition & Protect Detroit Lake!

 

We must act now. Without proper studies and a transparent process, the irreversible damage to our home will be done before we ever have a say.

 

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

 

References:

 • USACE Willamette Basin BiOp Implementation

 • Friends of Detroit Lake

 • Statesman Journal: Detroit Lake Drawdown Concerns

 

This isn’t just about fish—it’s about our entire ecosystem, our drinking water, and the future of our communities. Let’s demand transparency, accountability, and a plan that truly considers all environmental impacts.