Please save the date for this semi-annual gathering for our Detroit Lake / Santiam River area. Convened by the Detroit Lake Foundation for the purpose of information, conversation, and connection.
Detroit Lake Foundation is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89722991763?pwd=eMo37IFszYipS5IaIWqb7auyQSYl8b.1
Meeting ID: 897 2299 1763
Passcode: 784147
Update:
The Detroit Lake Foundation Lake Level Committee would like to update you. As many of you know, our group began meeting last October to try and come up with ways to keep the lake full for the recreational season. This was a much bigger task than any of us thought. When we began the only communication about the lake level or water predictions was between the Marina owners and the Army Corps of Engineers. That communication could have been better, so we decided it was time for our group to be involved.
One of the ways we became involved was by reinstating the Federal Lake Meetings, which had previously occurred before the fires. These meetings aimed to foster open communication among all agencies operating within the Santiam Canyon, including representatives from the Army Corps, Oregon Marine Board, Marion County Sheriff, Forestry, and Oregon Fish and Wildlife. When these meetings were discontinued, communication among the agencies suffered. In April, we revitalized these meetings and also incorporated Lari Rupp from the Marion County Excavation project. Currently, we have yet to have a representative from Oregon Fish and Wildlife join our discussions, but we hope to include them soon.
These meetings occur biannually, once in the fall and once in the spring. The feedback from all agencies has been overwhelmingly positive. Discussions regarding changes to forest closures, lake levels, or issues within the lake or Santiam Canyon usually take place before they occur.
We have been staying informed of the Marina excavation project. Marina owners are in favor of the excavation plans for their specific sites. Lari Rupp provides us with monthly updates, and as of now, everything is proceeding smoothly.
There are numerous factors involved in safeguarding lake levels and ensuring the sustainability of the Santiam Canyon. While our progress may be slow, it is undoubtedly heading in a positive direction. One significant achievement this spring was securing weekly meetings with the Army Corps, where we discussed rainfall, snowpack, and weekly predictions for lake levels. In August, it appeared that Detroit Lake Marina might not last until Labor Day, and we urgently requested the Corps to find a way to retain enough water to sustain them through the season. Remarkably, the Army Corps managed to accomplish this for us. Although many tend to blame the Army Corps for inadequate lake levels, the truth is that they are not solely responsible. Numerous elements contribute to effective lake management, including snowpack, rainfall, flood management, river temperatures, and fish habitats, among others. In our current climate, we are confronted with challenges such as global warming, diminishing snowpack, and environmentalists actively advocating for water rights. This past year, Green Peter Reservoir experienced its lowest water levels on record, leading to a significant die-off of Kokanee salmon and adversely affecting Sweet Home's drinking water supply. Additionally, we witnessed the removal of a dam in Klamath Falls to restore the salmon run.
What the future holds for our cherished lake is uncertain. We must be ready to safeguard Detroit Lake, the waterways of the Santiam Canyon, and Salem's drinking water. Our group is facing challenges in breaking down barriers and expanding our knowledge. Our next step is to find a partner who can assist us in obtaining the information we need to stay informed about ongoing issues and to amplify our voice at the Federal Level.