Blue River Reservoir is an artificial impoundment, about 6 miles (10 km) long, of the Blue River in Lane County in the U.S. state of Oregon.[2][5] The reservoir is about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Oregon Route 126 in the Willamette National Forest about 45 miles (72 km) east of Eugene.[1]
| Blue River Reservoir | |
|---|---|
Blue River Reservoir Blue River Reservoir | |
| Location | Lane County, Oregon, about 42 miles (68 km) east of Springfield |
| Coordinates | 44°10′19″N 122°19′49″W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Blue River |
| Primary outflows | Blue River |
| Catchment area | 88 sq mi (230 km2) |
| Max. length | 6.4 mi (10.3 km) |
| Surface area | 935 acres (378 ha), 1,420 acres (570 ha) when full |
| Average depth | 91 ft (28 m) |
| Max. depth | 248 ft (76 m) |
| Water volume | 85,000 acre⋅ft (105,000,000 m3)[1] |
| Residence time | 3 months[1] |
| Shore length1 | 17 mi (27 km)[1] |
| Surface elevation | 1,350 ft (410 m)[1] |
| Settlements | Blue River, an unincorporated community |
| References | [2][3][4] |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
In 1968 the United States Army Corps of Engineers built Blue Lake Dam and Saddle Dam about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the mouth of the Blue River on the McKenzie River to create a reservoir for flood control and irrigation.[1][6] Despite frequent blooms of blue-green algae,[7][8] the lake is heavily used for recreation.[4] Trout are the principal fish, supplemented from local hatcheries.[2]
Blue River Reservoir is used for fishing, boating, swimming, and waterskiing.[1] The United States Forest Service manages Mona Campground, on the north side of the reservoir, and Lookout Campground, on the northeast side.[4] The Forest Service also manages two launching sites for motorized and non-motorized boats, one near Lookout Campground and the other near Saddle Dam on the south shore.[4] The reservoir supports populations of native coastal cutthroat trout and stocked rainbow trout.[2]