PORTLAND, Ore. -- Remember the last time you went to the Willamette Valley reservoirs? Well, it’s been 84 years. At least, that’s how it feels.
And speaking of feels: These Willamette Valley reservoirs are once again asking for your (emotional) support – they miss you and want to see you. Plus, one does not simply visit live in Oregon and go without seeing the Willamette Valley during the summer.
According to the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ chief of reservoir regulation and water quality (so, basically, the smartest person in our district when it comes to reservoirs), the Willamette Valley reservoir levels are “fantastic” this year for recreation while also meeting objectives for endangered species-listed fish.
There’s still plenty of water and time to come out and enjoy the treasures we have in the heart of the valley, so we’re providing you with a comprehensive guide of what to see and where to go.
Pro-tip: Check reservoir levels and boat ramp status before you visit: www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nwp/teacup/willamette/
You want your summer memories to be fire, and not on fire, so please check your destination and routes for wildfires before heading out: www.willamettevalley.org/willamette-valley-wildfire-updates-and-resources
Locations listed in order from North to South:
Detroit Dam and reservoir (Near Detroit, OR)
Fish, boat, picnic, swim, camp:
Detroit Lake State Park
Mongold day-use area
Cove Creek Campground
Hoover Campground
Piety Island Campground
Southshore Campground
Birding: The lake is a designated stop along the Mt. Jefferson section of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail. This area provides songbird habitat in its hardwood stands, while osprey use lakeshore snags and trees as roosts and nesting sites and waterfowl including common mergansers nest at the lake.
Big Cliff Dam and reservoir (Near Mill City, OR)
Birding: Big Cliff Dam, which is located three miles downstream from Detroit Dam, is a designated stop along the Mt. Jefferson section of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail. Large trees and snags along the shoreline provide roosts for osprey, while hardwood forests around the reservoir provide for neotropical migrant songbirds.
Green Peter Dam and reservoir (Near Sweet Home, OR)
Fish, boat, swim, hike, camp:
Whitcomb Creek Park, Boat Ramp and Campground
Thistle Creek Boat Ramp
Quartzville Group Camp
Birding: Osprey nest along the shorelines of the lake.
Foster Dam and reservoir (Near Sweet Home, OR)
Fish, boat, swim, picnic, camp:
Andrew S. Wiley Park
Lewis Creek Park
Sunnyside Park
Gedney Creek Park boat ramp
Calkins Boat Ramp
Edgewater County Park and Marina
Blue River Dam and reservoir (Near Blue River, OR)
Camp, fish, boat:
Mona Campground
Lookout Creek Boat Ramp and Park
Saddle Dam Boat Launch
Cougar Dam and reservoir (Near Blue River, OR)
Fish, boat, picnic, hike, camp:
Echo day-use area
Slide Creek Campground
Cougar Crossing Campground
Sunnyside Campground
French Pete Campground
Delta Campground
Birding: The project encompasses almost 5,000 acres and the uplands are managed primarily through an agreement with the Willamette National Forest. The reservoir is a designated stop along the Three Sisters section of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail. American peregrine falcons have been observed around the cliffs above the lake.
Fern Ridge Dam and reservoir (Near Veneta, OR)
Fish, boat, swim, picnic, bird watch:
Kirk Park
Shore Lane Park
Jeans Park
Orchard Point Park
Perkins Peninsula Park
Richardson Park
Zumwalt Park
Safety Note: High danger associated with water recreation on the Long Tom River near Fern Ridge. The presence of low-head dams causes recirculating currents that can submerge people underwater and may be inescapable.
Birding: The Fern Ridge area is an excellent location for birding. Oregon’s largest breeding colony of purple martins can be found at Fern Ridge. Thousands of acres of emergent marsh support summer breeding habitat for a variety of water-bird species. Read more about purple martins: Corps reservoirs benefit Willamette Valley Swallows.
Fall Creek Dam and reservoir (Near Lowell, OR)
Fish, boat, picnic, hike:
Tufti Park
Tufti Creek Trail
Cascara Campground
Fisherman's Point Campground
Winberry Creek Park
North Shore Park
Free Meadows
Lakeside I & II
Dexter Dam and reservoir (Near Lowell, OR)
Fish, boat, picnic:
Orchard Park
South Shore Park
Dexter Park
Lowell Park
Birding: Dexter lake and shoreline lands total about 1,300 acres. The northeast shoreline provides a mosaic of quality wildlife habitat that supports migratory and resident songbirds, osprey and eagles. The reservoir is a designated stop along the McKenzie Loop of the Willamette Valley Birding Trail. This trail is a self-guided driving itinerary that includes 138 birding hot-spots.
Lookout Point Dam and reservoir (Near Lowell, OR)
Fish, boat, picnic, camp:
Meridian Park
Signal Point Boat Ramp
Ivan Oakes Campground
Wildlife: The lake and its shoreline provide habitat for several rare species, including northern spotted owl, western pond turtles, Chinook salmon, and Oregon chub. Bald eagles winter and regularly nest at Lookout Point.
Cottage Grove Dam and reservoir (Near Cottage Grove, OR)
Fish, boat, picnic, camp:
Pine Meadows Camping and Primitive Camping
Lakeside Park and Boat Ramp
Riverside Park
Shortridge Park
Wilson Creek Park and Boat Ramp
Dorena Dam and reservoir (Near Cottage Grove, OR)
Fish, boat, picnic, hike:
Bake Stewart Park
Harms Park
Schwarz Campground
Hiking: The Row River Trail offers more than five miles of trails bordering Dorena Lake, and is open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. The trail can be accessed near the lake at Dorena Dam, Row Point and Harms Park trailheads. The trail begins in Cottage Grove and continues for 14 miles, with several trailheads providing multiple opportunities for short trips and shuttling options.
Birding: With more than 2,400 acres, the Dorena Lake project provides habitat for a variety of wildlife and plants. The reservoir is a designated stop along the Big River Loop of the Willamette Valley Birding Trail. Visitors can see rare birds like the purple martin, the willow flycatcher and the yellow-breasted chat near Dorena Lake. Osprey and purple martins nest in structures maintained by the Corps.
Hills Creek Dam and reservoir (Near Oakridge, OR)
Camping, picnicking & boating:
Bingham Boat Ramp
Cline - Clark Picnic Area
C.T. Beach Picnic Area
Packard Creek Campground
Sand Prairie Campground
Birding: At more than 5,500 acres, the Hills Creek Dam and Reservoir provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including several rare species. The reservoir is a designated stop along the Three Sisters section of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail, a self-guided auto tour of nearly 200 prime birding destinations in the Oregon Cascades.
Safe travels, bestie. We’ll see you there.