Hills Creek Reservoir

Hills Creek Reservoir

Aerial view
Location Lane County, Oregon
Coordinates 43°40′16″N 122°25′33″W / 43.67111°N 122.42583°W / 43.67111; -122.42583Coordinates: 43°40′16″N 122°25′33″W / 43.67111°N 122.42583°W / 43.67111; -122.42583
Type Reservoir, mesotrophic
Primary inflows Middle Fork Willamette River
Primary outflows Middle Fork Willamette River
Catchment area 389 square miles (1,010 km2)
Basin countries United States
Surface area 2,735 acres (1,107 ha)
Average depth 130 feet (40 m)
Max. depth 299 feet (91 m)
Water volume 356,000 acre feet (439,000,000 m3)
Residence time 1.4 months
Shore length1 32 miles (51 km)
Surface elevation 1,545 feet (471 m)
Settlements Oakridge
References [1][2][3]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Hills Creek Reservoir, also known as Hills Creek Lake, is an artificial impoundment behind Hills Creek Dam on the Middle Fork Willamette River in the U.S. state of Oregon. The lake is near Oakridge in Lane County about 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Eugene, at the confluence of Hills Creek with the Middle Fork. The reservoir and its watershed lie within the Willamette National Forest.[1]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created the lake in 1961 when it built the dam, primarily to control floods and generate hydroelectricity. Since then, the lake has become a popular recreation site with parks, boat launches, and a fishery.[1]

Hills Creek was named for John J. Hill, who settled near the mouth of the creek in 1870. The dam and lake take their names from the creek.[4]

Recreation

Hills Creek reservoir supports populations of crappie, wild coastal cutthroat trout, threatened bull trout and stocked rainbow trout, the latter of which average 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm).[5] All wild trout (non-fin clipped) must be released.[6]

The United States Forest Service manages campgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails near the lake. These include the Packard Creek Campground, Bingham Boat Launch, C.T. Beach Picnic Area, Larison Cove Canoe Area, and Larison Trail Area. The lake provides opportunities for swimming and waterskiing as well as fishing and boating.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Johnson, Daniel M.; Petersen, Richard R.; Lycan, D. Richard; Sweet, James W.; Neuhaus, Mark E., and Schaedel, Andrew L. (1985). Atlas of Oregon Lakes. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. p. 86. ISBN 0-87071-343-4.
  2. ↑ "Atlas of Oregon Lakes: Hills Creek Lake (Lane County)". Portland State University. 1985–2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Hills Creek Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. May 22, 1986. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  4. ↑ McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 468. ISBN 978-0875952772.
  5. ↑ Sheehan, Madelynne Diness (2005). Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. pp. 144–45. ISBN 0-916473-15-5.
  6. ↑ "The 2013 Spring Fishing Guide, Willamette Zone". Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2013. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
  7. ↑ "Hills Creek Reservoir Area". United States Forest Service. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
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