Detroit Lake Oregon & Upper Canyon Community

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

Good eats and drinks at Papo's Bar during the Fishing Derby!

05/14/2026

05/14/2026

Much needed relief!

05/14/2026

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05/13/2026

05/13/2026

SALEM, OR — Today, the Marion County Board of Commissioners formally announced that the county has filed a lawsuit asking the United States District Court to order the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to pause efforts to drain Detroit Lake until the Army Corps completes the turbidity report required by federal law and allows informed public comments. Congress required the Army Corps to evaluate lessons learned from turbidity problems caused by a similar draining of nearby Green Peter Lake, but the Army Corps is over four months past the legal deadline. The announcement that the lawsuit was filed today was made during a regularly scheduled Board Session.

The Army Corps has proposed draining Detroit Lake to such a low level that it risks having insufficient water for municipal, agricultural, recreational, and environmental uses. And, available water will have higher turbidity, harming water quality and costing downstream cities like Stayton and Salem millions of dollars in infrastructure repairs/upgrades. In December 2025 and January 2026, Marion County submitted multiple formal letters to the Army Corps voicing strong concerns and requesting modifications to address the many foreseeable risks.

“The damage to downstream water systems due to the Army Corps’ irresponsible draining of Green Peter Lake was not theoretical” said Commissioner Colm Willis, Chair. “It was real, it was catastrophic, and it caused millions of dollars in damages to downstream water systems in the cities of Lebanon and Sweet Home. The City of Salem has already declared an emergency and smaller communities like Stayton are scrambling to try to prevent similar damage to their water systems. The Corps should follow the law and revise its plan to ensure our downstream communities are protected.”

Read the full release: https://www.marioncountynews.org/news/county-sues-us-army-corps-of-engineers-over-plan-to-drain-detroit-lake

08/14/2023

Our town has such a rich and varied culture and beginnings and changes. Appreciating our past and embracing new beginnings is a hallmark of a healthy and successful future. ♥️

07/26/2023

Recreation Update: spoke with Detroit Ranger Station:

*McCoy ATV/Snowmobile area is still being worked on with no answers as to when it will reopen.

*Upper Arm Day Use on Breitenbush Rd is very close. Last minute prep is being done and we should see it open ANY DAY now! Woo Hoo!! Another win for Detroit Lake Recreation Area!

07/07/2023