About the Portland District
The Portland District has one of the nation's most comprehensive and diversified civil works programs.
Covering most of Oregon and southwestern Washington, the District operates locks and dams along the Columbia River, operates dams in the Willamette Valley for flood risk management, maintains Oregon's coastal rivers for navigation and leads the Nation in hydropower generation, all while ensuring equal attention to environmental protection and restoration, fish and wildlife enhancement and recreation.
The Hydroelectric Design Center, a Corps Center of Expertise, is co-located with the District.
Military command of the District is made up of the District Commander and Deputy District Commander. The Portland District Commander also serves as the District Engineer. Civilian oversight for the District is provided by the Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management.
and District Engineer
Deputy Commander
Deputy District Engineer
for Programs and Project Management
Col. Michael D. Helton
Lt. Col. Kathryn A. Werback
Elizabeth (Liza) Wells
The dedicated people of the Portland District provide vital public engineering services to the Pacific Northwest and the Nation during peace and war to strengthen our security, promote a strong economy, and enhance environmental sustainability. We will accomplish this by our commitment to the Army and the Nation by:
Improving and maintaining navigation for economic development and safety
Preventing and reducing flood damage
Restoring, enhancing and maintaining ecosystems
Generating reliable and efficient hydropower
Regulating activities in wetlands and waterways
Supporting combat, stability and disaster operations through forward deployed and reach-back capabilities
Providing Corps-wide expertise in hydroelectric planning and engineering
Providing safe and healthful recreational opportunities for the public