What is the City doing about the water supply?

Although the available storage in Mercer Reservoir remains sufficient for the average watershed yield well beyond 2040, analysis indicates that the City could face a shortfall should a 100-year drought occur. If the City's water demands increase as projected and a 100-year drought occurred, the available storage in Mercer Reservoir would be exhausted by the year 2028. The City is taking a proactive approach and is starting the process to expand our water storage to provide for at least 50 years of projected water demands under drought conditions.

On August 3, 2023, the City and Jacob's Engineering held an open house meeting for stakeholders to describe the need, proposed solution and next steps. A copy of the presentation from that meeting is available on the City's Document Directory. (Mercer Reservoir Expansion - Stakeholder Meeting presentation - Aug 3, 2023)

Where are the next steps?  

• The City of Dallas is currently engineering the project and submitting construction permits.The City of Dallas has submitted a Water Rights Permit to the Oregon Water Resources Department. 
• Secure additional financing (e.g. Federal and State Grants and Loans) 
• Construct the project! 

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