Background
In 1894, the City of Portland built two open-air reservoirs at Mount Tabor Park. By 1911, two more open-air reservoirs were constructed due to Portland’s rapidly growing eastside population. Reservoirs on the slopes of Mount Tabor formed a major part of Portland’s water system for more than a hundred years, storing much of the city’s drinking water.
In 2015, Mount Tabor’s original uncovered reservoirs were disconnected from the drinking water system to comply with state and federal drinking water regulations. Since the Mount Tabor reservoirs are no longer connected to the water system, the cost for maintenance and repairs must come out of the City’s general fund rather than the funds the Water Bureau collects from ratepayers. In response to the disconnection, City Council passed Resolution 37146, dedicating $4 million to preservation and calling on the Water Bureau and the Mount Tabor Neighborhood Association to work together on priorities.
View current projects for Mount Tabor Reservoirs
Previous preservation work
We started repairing and rebuilding historic reservoir features in November 2017. Projects are ongoing today. See below for details about what we’ve done so far.
2024: Light fixture restoration on Reservoir 5
In 2024, the existing 100-year-old light fixtures were removed from Reservoir 5 and restored by Spring City Electrical. The light fixtures have been reinstalled and are operational.
2024: Reservoir 6 refilled
After finding evidence of voids beneath the concrete of Reservoir 6 in 2021, the Water Bureau performed a full ground-penetrating radar analysis to identify necessary repairs. In 2022, the extent of the voids was determined, and we began planning cost-effective repairs. The Water Bureau started repairs on Reservoir 6 in winter 2023–2024. We finished these repairs in 2024 and refilled Reservoir 6.
2023: Gatehouse repairs
Repairs were made to wooden components of the windows and doors on Gatehouses 1 and 5.
2022: Structural repairs
The Water Bureau performed a full GPR analysis to identify necessary repairs after finding evidence of voids beneath the concrete of Reservoir 6. Reservoir 1 was surveyed using the same technology and repairs were made as necessary. Because Reservoir 1 is smaller, repairs were much less extensive than those needed at Reservoir 6.
Areas of Reservoir 5’s liner were repaired. This liner lowers the likelihood of voids forming by preventing water from seeping through the concrete and eroding the ground underneath.
2021: Roofing repairs
Carlson Roofing repaired the roofs of structures at all three reservoirs.
2020: Historic fencing restoration
In the summer of 2020, the Water Bureau hired a skilled blacksmith, Berkley Tack, to repair the historic ironwork fencing around Reservoirs 5 and 6. The blacksmith restored the wrought iron fencing, tapered tower light posts, and decorative scroll work.
2019: Structural repairs
To protect the structural integrity of Reservoir 1, the existing reservoir surface was cleaned, failed concrete was replaced, and voids were filled using concrete.
Concrete repairs were made to parapet walls at Reservoirs 5 and 6 and to Reservoir 5’s hypochlorite building.
2018: Concrete, roof, and fencing restoration
Concrete restoration work was performed on the basin and walls of Reservoirs 1 and 6. The weir building near Reservoir 1 was re-roofed. Concrete work on Gatehouse 5 was completed. The dam face fencing and the stairs near Reservoir 5 were restored.
Historic photos
Historic photo of Reservoir 1 being constructed, taken in 1894
Historic photo of Reservoir 5 being constructed, taken in 1910
Historic photo of Reservoir 5 being constructed, taken in 1911
Related reports
Mount Tabor Reservoirs Historic Structures Report—2009
Mount Tabor Reservoirs Historic Structures Report—2016 Addendum