Bully Creek Reservoir facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bully Creek Reservoir
Swallows hovering over Bully Creek Dam, overlooking Bully Creek.
Bully Creek Reservoir Location in Oregon Show map of Oregon Bully Creek Reservoir Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Malheur County, Oregon
Coordinates	44°00′48″N 117°23′46″W / 44.013216°N 117.396017°W / 44.013216; -117.396017
Type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Bully Creek
Primary outflows	Bully Creek
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	985 acres (399 ha)
Water volume	31,650 acre⋅ft (39,040,000 m3)
Surface elevation	2,500 ft (760 m)

Boy diving off a dock in Bully Creek Reservoir. The road that leads to the dam's crest is in the background.

Bully Creek Reservoir is a large reservoir in Malheur County, Oregon. It was created by building a dam across Bully Creek. This creek eventually flows into the Malheur River.

The reservoir is shaped like a crescent moon. It is about 9 miles (14 km) west of a town called Vale. You can drive to the reservoir and its dam using Bully Creek Road.

The Bureau of Reclamation built the reservoir in 1963. It covers about 985 acres (399 ha) of water. The shoreline stretches for about 7 miles (11 km). The dam itself is 121 feet (37 m) tall. It sits at an elevation of 2,500 feet (760 m) above sea level.

Bully Creek Park is a great place to visit. It is open from April through October. The park has 33 campsites where you can stay overnight. There is also a day-use area with two covered shelters. You can enjoy a swimming beach and a two-lane boat ramp with a dock for boats.

Amazing Wildlife at Bully Creek Reservoir

Aerial view of Bully Creek Dam and the reservoir.

Bully Creek Reservoir is home to many different kinds of fish. You might find smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and black bass. Other fish include rainbow trout, yellow perch, and both white and black crappie. It is a popular spot for fishing!

The reservoir is also an important resting place for waterfowl that are migrating. These are birds like ducks and geese that travel long distances. Some ducks even stay here to build their nests and raise their young.

The area around the reservoir has sparse plants like sagebrush and grass. This provides a home for small mammals and many different birds.

You can often see migrating birds in the forested areas nearby. Look for Loons, grebes, ducks, and hawks throughout the year. If you are lucky, you might even spot Rock wrens and golden eagles. These birds are sometimes seen near a special red rock formation close to the reservoir.