For More Information Contact:
Joe Harwood, 341-1879
Eugene Water & Electric Board

May 29, 2009

Water level in McKenzie River to rise due to canal work

The flow in a four-mile stretch of the McKenzie River will increase beginning on Wednesday, June 3, due to annual maintenance work on the Walterville Power Canal.

Maintenance work will include cleaning, repair and, if needed, replacement of fish screens as well as inspection, cleaning and lubrication of the power plant. To do the work, the water flow into the Walterville Power Canal will be drawn down starting June 3, increasing the water flow in the McKenzie River by about 2,400 cubic feet per second between the canal diversion and the confluence between the Walterville Tailrace and the McKenzie River where the water is normally returned to the river. By June 16, the canal will be mostly empty and repair and maintenance work will begin.

EWEB will begin to slowly restore water flows into the canal starting on June 24, with the canal flow fully ramped up by June 26.