Stayton is acting by working with legal experts and partnering with other affected cities, including Detroit, Lyons/Mehama, Gates, Mill City, Jefferson, Albany, Salem, and the Santiam Water Control District. Together, they are exploring legal and engineering options to reduce or prevent the impact of the drawdown.
At a key meeting with USACE on January 31, 2025, city officials raised concerns about:
- USACE’s failure to follow past environmental recommendations.
- Conflicts between federal environmental laws.
- The uncertain future of hydroelectric power operations at Detroit Dam.