Detroit Marina Excavation and Resiliency Project
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. This collaborative effort not only aims to create economic and community benefits but also support wildlife and their habitats. As part of the effort to rebuild, we want to invite you to learn more about the Detroit Marinas Excavation and Resiliency Project and to stay up to date as we advance to Phase 2 of this initiative.
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 Kane's 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):
Moving forward with community supported Osprey Point Peninsula
In Spring 2023, Marion County presented three site concepts for how the excavated material from the marinas might be used to build new benefits for the community and wildlife. We asked the community to review and share their feedback on which alternative they preferred and heard a strong preference for Osprey Point Peninsula, also known as Alternative 2. Taking this preference into account, along with factors such as environmental and habitat benefits, construction feasibility, and access advantages, the Marion County Board of Commissioners decided to move forward with the Osprey Point Peninsula concept.
The project is on schedule and currently in Phase 2, which includes engineering and permitting. Phase 3 will involve construction, expected to begin after the 2025 boating season and be completed in Spring 2026.
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, crucial 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.
More Information
For more information about the Detroit Marina Excavation and Resiliency Project, please contact us at MCEconomicDevelopment@co.marion.or.us
