Detroit Marina Excavation and Resiliency Project
Marion County would like you to partipate in the Community Survey!
Marion County and our Community partners have been hard at work supporting our constituents in the Santiam Canyon who were affected by the 2020 wildfires.
As part of the collaborative effort to rebuild, we invite you to learn more about the Detroit Marinas Excavation and Resiliency Project and participants in concept planning for a new land feature in the Detroit Reservoir. Participants can submit feedback through the web form or attend the in-person open house during the annual Detroit Fishing Derby!
Please find the survey available at http://www.DetroitMarinas.com
Reviving the local economy with a more dependable lake season
The Detroit Marina Excavation and Resiliency Project is to support the local economy of the North Santiam Canyon by helping Detroit Lake Marina and Kanes Marina maintain more reliable summer operations at Detroit Lake Reservoir. This includes the strategic excavation and relocation of approximately 160,000 cubic yards of sediment underneath the existing boat docks during the winter reservoir draw down period(s):
Learn more: 
DetroitMarinaExcavation_FactSheet.pdf
Detroit Lake has routinely failed to reach the "full pool" seasonal depth necessary to support a robust and viable lake recreation season. Detroit Lake Marina and Kane's Marina lay upon shallow shelves, requiring the marinas to open later and close their docks increasingly early as water is drained from the lake. This excavation will enable the marinas to operate down to 1,525 feet, ensuring a full recreation season.
Multiple factors have affected Detroit Lake's ability to maintain a "full pool" depth during summer, including:
- Changing weather patterns
- Municipal water needs
- Fish and wildlife mitigation policies
- Five-foot reduction of "full pool" depth to mitigate seismic hazards at Detroit Dam
Multiplying benefits through beneficial reuse of excavated material
Marion County is exploring opportunities for "beneficial reuse" of excavated material that could increase benefits to the community. For example, the material could be used to construct new parks and trails, habitat for fish and wildlife, or other recreation opportunities.
The Economic Engine of the North Santiam Canyon
This project will provide economic security for the rural timber communities in the North Santiam Canyon. In recent years, these communities have been strained by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beachie Creek/Lionshead wildfires, which heavily impacted tourism.
Detroit Lake is the primary draw for outside visitors, cruical to the economic recovery of the region.
This resiliency project is estimated to create:
- $1.2 million annually in direct and indirect economic activity throughout the region of the North Santiam Canyon.
- $1.4 million in net economic gain for the region over 20 years.
The surrounding communities would experience a direct benefit through employment.
In addition, this project will expand outdoor recreation access to Detroit Lake for individuals across the State of Oregon.
A Regional Priority
This project enjoys widespread community support including Marion County, the City of Detroit, Detroit Lake Marina, Kane's Marina, state and regional recreation and travel organizations, and the Detroit Lake Area Business and Recreation Association. Additionally, the local jurisdictions throughout the surrounding North Santiam area are strong supporters of this project. Letters of support have been provided by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers(USACE), U.S. Forest Services(USFS), Marion County, City of Detroit, and State Representative Jami Cate.
Supported by the Marion County HUD Consolidated Plan?
Marion County's Five-Year Consolidated Plan includes Public Facilities & Infrastructure and Economic Development as Priority Needs in the county. This project will address those priority needs, support stated goals of the plan to invest in public facilities and infrastructure, and encourage economic development.
Marion County 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan
DetroitMarinaExcavation_FactSheet.pdf
Project Status
In order to meet the project deadlines, the County intends to contract out the location selection, permit consulting, engineering, and construction management portions of the project. The relevant state and federal agencies have already been engaged with this project and have weighed in on what remains unresolved. Once a suitable location for the sediment is selected the remaining engineering and planning can occur.
Projects Components | Status |
| Piling Dredge Plan | Complete |
| Heritage & Archeology Study at Excavation Site | Complete |
| Draft Biological Assessment, NMFS states it is SLOPES Compliant | Complete |
Application Joint Permit Applications have been submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers(USACE)
| Submitted, in "Withdrawal" status and can be re-opened when ready |
| Department of State Lands Public Noticing and Comment Period | Complete |
| Sec. 408 Permit Application | Not Started |
| NEPA Process | Will be completed USACE upon funding being secured |
| Dredging, Inundation, Constructions, and Transport Plan to include water disposal plan, stabilization plan, and contingency plan for weather. | Not Started |
| In-Water Work Window Variance to DSL | Not Started |
| Sediment Evaluation Framework Development to include excavation plan, sequencing, layering, upstream or downstream placement, seasons of work, and sediment exposures | Not Started |
| PSET Review and possible Solid Waste Letter of Authorization if required | Not Started |
More Information
For more information about the Detroit Marina Excavation and Resiliency Project, please contact us at MCEconomicDevelopment@co.marion.or.us
