Applegate Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Applegate Lake |
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Applegate Lake
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 Applegate Lake
Location in Oregon
Applegate Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jackson County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 42°03′17″N 123°06′52″W / 42.05472°N 123.11444°W |
| Type | reservoir, mesotrophic |
| Primary inflows | Applegate River |
| Primary outflows | Applegate River |
| Catchment area | 223 square miles (580 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 988 acres (4.00 km2) |
| Average depth | 83 feet (25 m) |
| Max. depth | 225 ft (69 m) |
| Water volume | 82,200 acre-feet (101,400,000 m3) |
| Residence time | 7 months |
| Shore length1 | 18.5 miles (29.8 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,949 ft (594 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Applegate Lake is a large reservoir (a human-made lake) in the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon. It covers about 988-acre (400 ha) of water. This beautiful lake is located about 27 miles (43 km) southwest of Medford. It's also not far from the border between Oregon and California. The lake was created by building a dam on the Applegate River.
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Building Applegate Lake: A Look Back
The idea for Applegate Dam started in 1962. The United States Congress decided to build it to help control floods. The United States Army Corps of Engineers began working on the dam in 1976. It took four years to finish, and the dam was completed in 1980. The total cost was about $96 million.
Why Was the Dam Built?
The main reason for building Applegate Dam was to stop floods. But it also had other important jobs. The dam helps store water for irrigation (watering crops). It also created a wonderful new place for people to enjoy outdoor activities.
What Happened to Copper?
The dam is 1,300 feet (400 m) long and 242 feet (74 m) high. When the dam was finished, it created a lake that stretched 4.6 miles (7.4 km) upstream. As the lake filled with water, it covered an old community called Copper. This town once had a post office and several buildings. Today, when the lake's water level gets low enough, you can sometimes see the old highway that used to lead to Copper. It even becomes a boat ramp!
How Much Water Does Applegate Lake Hold?
Applegate Lake can hold a huge amount of water, up to 82,200 acre-feet (101,400,000 m3). It is one of only two big multi-purpose reservoirs in the Rogue River basin built by the Corps of Engineers. The other is Lost Creek Lake.
Who Was Applegate Lake Named After?
The lake, the dam, and other places in this area are named after Lindsay Applegate. He was a leader who guided a group of settlers through the Rogue River Valley in 1848. They were on their way to look for gold in California.
Fun Things to Do at Applegate Lake
Applegate Lake is a great place for outdoor adventures! It's known for its many fish, making it a popular spot for fishing.
Fishing and Boating
The lake is home to many kinds of fish, including:
- Trout
- Landlocked Chinook salmon
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
- Crappie
Every year, about 120,000 rainbow trout and 50,000 young Chinook salmon are added to the lake. This helps keep the fish populations healthy. There are also several boat ramps, with two open all year, so you can easily launch your boat.
Trails and Other Activities
You can find about 18 miles (29 km) of trails that go all the way around the lake. The United States Forest Service takes care of many areas along the shore. Here, you can:
- Go fishing
- Have a picnic
- Go swimming
- Enjoy boating
Some trails are perfect for Mountain biking, and three trails allow horses. So, whether you like to hike, bike, or ride, there's something for everyone!
