The Water Bureau has replaced original 1894 reservoirs with a new 12.4-million-gallon, seismically reinforced underground reservoir. This reservoir supplies water to Portland’s west side. It serves more than 360,000 people, including all downtown businesses and residents, 20 schools, 5 hospital complexes, and more than 60 parks.
The reservoir site is temporarily closed
The Washington Park Reservoir site is still not ready for permanent public access. Crews are working to finish several items before we can open this space to the public. These projects do not impact the drinking water system or the water storage reservoir beneath the reflecting pool.
The Water Bureau and our partners will alert the public when we set a date for the permanent opening of the park.
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Active construction happening now
Last updated November 3, 2025
We are eager to open the promenade and reflecting pool area as soon as we can. We had hoped to be ready to welcome the public by now, but we are still working to finish a few necessary projects. Here are some of the projects crews are currently working on.
Reflecting pool
The reflecting pool and cascading water feature above the reservoir are not performing as intended. Crews are inspecting the system to determine the work needed to optimize its performance. We have turned off the water feature and will drain the pool for safety during the inspection.
Once the identified work has been completed, we will refill the pool and turn the water feature back on. We do not yet have a timeline for the completion of this work. If you would like to be notified when we have a timeline, please sign up for our project newsletter.
The reflecting pool is not part of the drinking water system. Drinking water is in a covered reservoir underneath the reflecting pool.
Road work
Crews are making road improvements and working on storm drains in the area around the reflecting pool. This will help divert stormwater into storm drains and reduce the risk of pooling or flooding in the area.
Work has already started and will take a few weeks. Traffic signs and flaggers will direct travelers around the closure area. Please use caution when driving, walking, or biking near construction areas.
Historic concrete preservation
You may have noticed some concrete trucks in the construction zone. We are repairing historic concrete on the dam walkway to keep paths obstacle-free for pedestrians. This repair work will match the historic texture and color of the original concrete.
Historic light fixture restoration
The 100-year-old light fixtures that were once part of the fences around the reservoirs are being restored and refabricated. Existing fixtures were removed and shipped to Spring City Electrical in Pennsylvania, where they're being restored and made operational. Missing lights will be replaced with new fixtures cast from a mold of an original fixture.
Spring City Electrical recently completed work on the identical light fixtures for Reservoir 5 at Mount Tabor.
Learn more about the Washington Park Reservoir
Frequently asked questions
I don't see construction work happening. Why is the reservoir still closed?
The reservoir site is still an active construction zone. While the heavy equipment may be gone, contractors are still working to put the finishing touches on the site. The Water Bureau also needs time to address all operational and safety concerns before allowing public access.
These scheduled tasks are part of the standard process for a project to go through as we reach the end of the construction period. Our top priority is ensuring that the site meets the highest standards of safety, quality, accessibility, and sustainability. As we transition the to the operation of a public blue space our site teams are working diligently to address all final elements and open the site as quickly as possible.
When will the reservoir be open?
We don’t have a timeline for when the Washington Park Reservoir site will be open to the public. While the area looks finished, there are still several items that need to be addressed before we can allow permanent access.
We are all excited to share this space with the community and thank you for your continued patience in the final phases of this project.
What needs to happen for the site to be open to the public?
Several items need attention before the site can be safely and permanently opened to the public. The final to-do list includes eliminating pedestrian hazards, installing safety signage, and continuing work on the hypochlorite system and reflecting pool pumps. We will continue to update this webpage with construction activities.
It's hard to tell from the road, but crews are also working on the larger area below the reflecting pool site to address several items that need attention before the site can be safely opened to the public. This includes eliminating pedestrian hazards, installing safety features, and continuing the work on the hypochlorite system and reflecting pool.
Where can I get status updates about Washington Park Reservoir?
We have a newsletter for construction updates. We will use this to communicate updates about Washington Park Reservoir. Sign up for the project newsletter or check back on this project webpage.
Visit our frequently asked questions page to learn more about the project background.
Sneak peek celebration
On Saturday, June 14, we invited community members to the Washington Park Reservoir for a sneak peek of the new reflecting pools. With vendor booths, music, tours, and speeches, the well-attended event had something for everyone.
Thank you to all the Washington Park partners, City of Portland teams, and community organizations who made the event so fun and festive.
View photos from the event on Facebook