Draining Detroit Lake

The Detroit Dam on January 12, 2018. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has proposed building a 300-foot tower at the dam to improve water temperature and fish passage for salmon and steelhead. Opponents of the plan are concerned about its impact on Salem's water supply, irrigation and the impact on tourism and economy to Detroit. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Tree stumps are exposed as Detroit Lake water levels are low on January 12, 2018, in Detroit, Ore. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have proposed draining the lake to build a 300-foot tower by Detroit Dam, with the goal of improving water temperature and fish passage for salmon and steelhead. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Jeff Ament, project manager for the Detroit Dam and Lake Downstream Passage Project, on January 12, 2018, at the Detroit Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has proposed building a 300-foot tower at the dam to improve water temperature and fish passage for salmon and steelhead. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Tree stumps are exposed as Detroit Lake water levels are low on January 12, 2018, in Detroit, Ore. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have proposed draining the lake to build a 300-foot tower by Detroit Dam, with the goal of improving water temperature and fish passage for salmon and steelhead. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron on January 12, 2018, at the Detroit Dam. ÒIn the long-term, this project has a lot of positives, from a healthier environment for fish to better operation of the dam,Ó Marion County commissioner Kevin Cameron said. ÒBut there is a huge risk in the short-term, and I donÕt think many people know this is happening.Ó MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Mountain High Grocery owner Paul O'Donnell on January 12, 2018, in Detroit, Ore. O'Donnell and other local Detroit business owners are concerned about a proposal to drain the lake to build a 300-foot tower by Detroit Dam with the goal of improving water temperature and fish passage for salmon and steelhead. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Water flows along the North Santiam Canyon after passing through the Detroit Dam on January 12, 2018, in Detroit, Ore. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal