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Salem officials have urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement additional measures to safeguard the city's drinking water during the planned drawdown of Detroit Reservoir in late 2026, which aims to support salmon migration.

Although the Corps' plan includes a drawdown starting in late November or early December for a two-week duration, city leaders expressed concerns about the lack of turbidity triggers to monitor water clarity, which could affect the filtration system serving approximately 200,000 residents. In July 2025, Salem declared a state of emergency to facilitate preparations, including new groundwater wells.

Meanwhile, Marion County officials have called for a comprehensive turbidity report required by federal law, while the Corps has acknowledged authorization for the report but awaits Congressional appropriations. A final study on the drawdown is expected in spring 2026.