The Portland Metro Levee System Project will replace the entire westernmost levee boundary of the Flood Safety District, near Heron Lakes Golf Course.
Project Description
The Portland Metro Levee System project at the Heron Lakes Golf Course will upgrade the Portland region’s flood management system.
The improvements at Heron Lakes Golf Course include construction of a new cross levee parallel along the railroad embankment that failed in 1948, destroying the City of Vanport. At the end of the project, there will be a modern, safe levee replacing the previous embankment that was a rock-filled railroad trestle since the 1920s. The completed project will deliver improved flood safety for the system that stretches east to the Sandy River.
The needed improvements are straightforward:
- Raise the levees and improve floodwalls in the most vulnerable areas.
- Upgrade aging infrastructure such as pumps, pipes, and drains.
- Construct a new cross levee parallel along the railroad embankment that failed in 1948, destroying the city of Vanport.
PMLS Project Map
The Heron Lakes Golf Course component of the PMLS project is part of Package 3. For more information on the PMLS project and package components, visit the PMLS project page.
PMLS Project Phases
The PMLS project has three general phases. Design and construction for each of these phases will happen at different times, with upgrades to smaller levee sections and the pump stations starting first.
The Heron Lakes Golf Course component is part of phase 2; the project is currently in the planning phase and is expected to be in the construction phase in 2030.
HOW WILL THIS PROJECT IMPACT THE HERON LAKES GOLF COURSE?
View from behind Hole 12 on the Great Blue. This is where a new levee, parallel to the embankment, would be constructed.
Construction of the levee will impact a portion of the golf course, however the number and location of holes that may be temporarily or permanently affected are still being evaluated. At this time there is no plan to reduce the total number of holes at Heron Lakes due to the PMLS project. The project will also impact drainageways, sensitive habitat, trees, fairways, greens, and other course features that will need to be restored or reconfigured.
Because the project is still in the preliminary design stage, the full extent of impacts to the golf course and its operations has not yet been determined. Costs to restore or modify the course and address these impacts will be developed as the design progresses. The agencies involved are working together to plan and schedule construction activities in a way that minimizes impacts to golfers and other park users as much as possible.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is construction expected to begin?
Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2029 or early 2030. The 30% design phase for this component is expected to start summer 2026, with final design expected to be complete early 2029.
Why is a levee required in addition to the railroad embankment?
The existing railroad embankment was never designed and constructed to serve as a levee.
How can I stay up to date on the latest closures and information on the golf course?
Stay updated on the latest conditions regarding the Heron Lakes Golf Course on the City of Portland’s website: Portland.gov/Parks/Golf
Will the golf course be redesigned?
Portions of the golf course will need to be redesigned or reconfigured to accommodate the new flood protection measures. The extent of the redesign, including which holes and course features will be affected, is still being evaluated as the project moves through design.
Portland Parks & Recreation has engaged Robert Trent Jones II (RTJII), the original Heron Lakes Golf Course architects, and is working closely with their team to evaluate potential impacts to course layout and playability as a result of the new levee. This work will inform reconfiguration options with the goal of maintaining Trent Jones course certification and the level of golfing experience players expect at Heron Lakes while minimizing temporary and permanent impacts, as well as disruption to operations.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PORTLAND METRO LEVEE SYSTEM PROJECT
View the full project page at www.urbanfloodsafetyor.gov/pmls
Download the PMLS project fact sheet
View the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ page on the PMLS project