SALEM, Ore. — The scheduled deep drawdown of Detroit Reservoir by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue as planned this fall after a motion for preliminary injunction by the City of Salem and Marion County was denied Nov. 4.
“We have reviewed the Court’s order and will be appealing the decision,” Brian Martin, City of Salem Public Works Director, said. “We remain concerned about the impact of drawdowns on our drinking water supply and our ability to meet long-term community needs for clean and safe drinking water.”
The City initially filed a lawsuit July 8 against the Corps challenging the Corps’ intended drawdown of Detroit Reservoir, a critical water source for Salem. In August, the City filed a motion for preliminary injunction in U.S. District Court to prevent the Corps’ planned drawdown this year or to halt the drawdown if the resulting level of sediment prevents the City from filtering and processing water at the Geren Island Water Treatment Facility.
Since January 2025, the City of Salem has actively engaged with the Corps, providing detailed feedback and proposing measures designed to protect and preserve the quality and quantity of Salem’s drinking water — not only today, but for future generations. Among the City’s key requests was a safeguard to pause or stop the drawdown when the amount of sediment in the North Santiam River harms Salem’s water treatment systems and would cause those systems to shut down. The City declared an emergency in July 2025 allowing critical water system improvements to progress on expedited timelines to help prepare for a drawdown in 2026.
The City of Salem is responsible for supplying safe and reliable drinking water to about 220,000 residents, as well as hospitals, schools, businesses and other critical infrastructure. Salem’s service area includes the City of Turner, two water districts and portions of unincorporated Marion and Polk counties. The City also provides water in sufficient quantities for firefighting and other emergency needs.
For more information about our preparations for the drawdowns of Detroit Reservoir, visit www.cityofsalem.net/drawdown
