The Willamette Watershed Project construct approximately 100 miles of new fiber cables along routes where commercial telecommunications providers have not previously had a business case to build. Laying these cables will provide high-capacity fiber backhaul for all wireless providers. This will enable cell providers to increase the speed and bandwidth of 4G LTE based mobile data services, eliminating microwave backhaul chokepoints that slow wireless data in rural areas.

Using a combination of fiber and microwave backhaul will improve the resiliency of public safety and cellular wireless services. By providing automatic diverse routing of telecommunications and internet signals through a chain of linked sites, the Willamette Watershed Project will protect networks against future failures that could result from the loss of a telecommunications tower site.

This project also seeks to underground existing and new backbone communications infrastructure where feasible. This mitigation approach reduces risks from both chronic hazards  – wildfires, windstorms, severe winter storms, and landslides – and catastrophic hazards like earthquakes. 

Post-fire research shows that Willamette watershed communities face increased likelihood of flooding, erosion, and debris flows due to the September 2020 wildfires. This elevates risk to public health, property and drinking water in the years to come.

This new fiber network will enable a multi-hazard detection and alerting system in the McKenzie, Santiam, and Sisters corridors. The multi-hazard networks will include

• • High-resolution, near-infrared pan-tilt-zoom cameras and meteorological sensors that have proven to be essential for wildfire response
  • Landslide warning and detection systems in key transportation corridors and communities at risk, including laser arrays, rain gauges, and and soil/groundwater sensors
  • Discharge and rain gauges to predict hazardous flood conditions
  • Seismic monitoring sites for earthquake and debris flow detection

This network can effectively save lives and inform a timely and effective response to future hazards that minimizes damage to property and infrastructure. Potential uses of this network include:

• • Preparing communities for landslide evacuation and response
  • Notifying downstream communities when flood conditions are evident
  • Warning citizens and communities ahead of earthquake shaking to take protective actions
  • Informing fire response agencies upon detection of ignition.

Additionally, through Link Oregon, this project aims to provide the McKenzie and Santiam schools with high-speed fiber connectivity. Not only will this ensure that upriver schools have equal or better connectivity as in-city schools, it will also support University extension and research centers, including the Oregon State University Forest Research Center in Blue River.

By connecting energy and water utilities with high-capacity, highly reliable, fiber optic connectivity, the Willamette Watershed Project enables them to surveil and control critical infrastructure.

• • EWEB will utilize the network to surveil and control the Carmen-Smith Hydro Electric Development, and for protection and switching of the associated Transmission System from Carmen-Smith to Cougar Dam.
  • The Bonneville Power Administration will utilize the network to surveil and control the Cougar Dam Hydro Electric Development, and for protection and switching of the associated Transmission System from Cougar to Vida.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will utilize the network to surveil and control the water control dams at Blue River Dam, Cougar Dam, Detroit Dam, and Big Cliff Dam.
  • Lane Electric and Consumers Power will utilize the network for distribution automation – the ability to re-route and shut off electricity under remote control. This reduces the probability of wildfires resulting from tree contact with energized electrical wires.

Additionally, by providing the Oregon Department of Transportation with high-speed fiber connectivity, the project will enable greater use of Intelligent Transportation Technologies on these critical cross-state transportation paths, specifically Santiam Pass. Fiber connectivity will be available in local ODOT maintenance yards, along with TripCheck message signs and camera and sensor networks. Additionally, adding fiber connectivity to the telecommunications towers used by ODOT mobile radio systems will protects radio operation in the event of a tower loss.

The project team thus far includes support from University of Oregon, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Oregon Internet Response (OIR), Link Oregon, Elevate Technology, Emerald Broadband, Lane County, Lane County Technical Services, Lane Electric Cooperative, Lane County Sherriff Office, McKenzie Schools, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon State University, State Interoperability Executive Council, State Broadband Office, USACE, USDA Forest Service, WIX and Onward Eugene. As this project progresses, we will continue to reach out to all interested stakeholders in the region of impact.