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Press release
The Washington Park Reservoir, a seismically resilient underground reservoir, has been serving Portland's west side since 2021. The area on top of the reservoir is now home to a public space for the entire community to enjoy.
Published
The Washington Park Reservoir is once-in-a-generation project that provides a seismically resilient water supply for 360,000 westside water users and a beautiful new reflecting pool and plaza for the entire community to enjoy.
The Water Bureau replaced the original open-air reservoirs with a 12.4-million-gallon underground reservoir. This modern reservoir is an investment in a healthy, resilient, and secure water system and has been serving water to Portland's west side since 2021. The area on top of the new reservoir is now home to a public space for the entire community to enjoy.
Since the City's community celebration in June 2025, crews at the Portland Water Bureau have worked through complex engineering, operations, and construction challenges to make the public area of the reservoir site safe, accessible, and welcoming for the community.
"This project helps cement Washington Park as one of the city's crown jewel destinations. The park's 3.5 million annual visitors from around the world will be able to experience the new public space," said Deputy City Administrator for Public Works Priya Dhanapal. "The reservoir is a prime example of thoughtful planning, deliberate placemaking, and critical investments in the future of Portland."
This project is funded by Portlanders, and we're committed to using those funds wisely and delivering value for our community. While it's never ideal, large projects like this often experience prolonged construction and testing periods. Crews needed some extra time to make sure this space is safe and welcoming for the public and that our investment in seismically resilient infrastructure is built to last the next 100 years.
Visitors are invited to enjoy the historic charm and natural beauty of Washington Park's newest attraction. In the future, staff will occasionally close the reservoir space for maintenance and operational needs.
Learn more about the Washington Park Reservoir project
Learn more about visiting the Washington Park Reservoir site
About the Portland Water Bureau
The Portland Water Bureau serves water to about 840,000 people in the Portland area. Portland's drinking water system includes two great water sources, 49 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipe. With approximately 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day.
About the Public Works Service Area
The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city's water, sewer, stormwater, parks, and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Water Bureau. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.