The City of Salem has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the Corps’ planned deep drawdown of Detroit Reservoir, a key source of Salem’s drinking water.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Eugene, challenges the Corps’ plan to lower Detroit Reservoir to levels not seen since the dam was built more than 70 years ago. Salem officials say the drawdown could send high levels of sediment into the North Santiam River, which supplies drinking water to Salem and surrounding communities.
City Manager Krishna Namburi said Salem’s drinking water remains safe, clean and plentiful, but the Corps’ plan raises serious concerns about the long-term reliability of the city’s water supply.
The city says it has spent more than a year working with the Corps and asking for safeguards, including a trigger that would pause or stop the drawdown if sediment levels threaten Salem’s water treatment system. City officials say those protections were not included in the Corps’ final plan.
Through the lawsuit, Salem is asking the Corps to comply with federal environmental laws, complete a required turbidity impact report from previous drawdowns, add sediment-related stop or pause protections, and move forward with a long-term physical solution to help young salmon migrate.
Salem provides drinking water to about 220,000 people, including residents in Salem, Turner, water districts, and portions of Marion and Polk counties. The system also serves hospitals, schools, businesses and emergency needs, and is the only emergency drinking water source for Stayton and Keizer.
City officials say Salem is prepared to continue providing safe drinking water if the drawdown moves forward this fall. The city has invested nearly $8 million over the past 18 months in alternative water sources, including groundwater wells on Geren Island, the Aquifer Storage and Recovery facility in South Salem, and emergency connections with Keizer.
Salem water customers with questions can contact Salem Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311.
