Dorena Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dorena Reservoir |
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Dorena Reservoir
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 Dorena Reservoir
Location in Oregon
Dorena Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lane County, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°47′12″N 122°57′16″W / 43.78667°N 122.95444°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Row River |
| Primary outflows | Row River |
| Catchment area | 265 sq mi (690 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,840 acres (740 ha) |
| Average depth | 42 ft (13 m) |
| Max. depth | 97 ft (30 m) |
| Water volume | 77,600 acre⋅ft (95,700 dam3) |
| Residence time | 1.7 months |
| Shore length1 | 13 mi (21 km) |
| Surface elevation | 835 ft (255 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Dorena Reservoir, also known as Dorena Lake, is a large, human-made lake in Lane County, Oregon, United States. It was created on the Row River, about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Cottage Grove.
What is Dorena Lake?
Dorena Lake is a type of lake called a reservoir. A reservoir is a place where water is collected and stored. It's usually made by building a dam across a river. This helps control the river's flow and provides water for different uses.
Why Was Dorena Lake Built?
Before the dam was built, the area around the Willamette River and its smaller rivers, like the Row River, often flooded. Heavy rains and melting snow from the nearby mountains would cause the rivers to overflow. This flooding could damage homes and farms.
To stop these floods, the United States Army Corps of Engineers started building dams in the 1940s. The Army Corps of Engineers is a part of the U.S. Army that works on engineering projects, like building dams and managing waterways. They built 13 dams in the Willamette River basin to control flooding.
The Dorena Dam
The Dorena Dam is the structure that holds back the water to form Dorena Lake. It was finished in 1949. This dam, along with others like the one that created Cottage Grove Lake, helped protect the Willamette Valley from floods.
Fun at Dorena Lake
Today, Dorena Lake is a very popular spot for summer fun. Many people visit the lake each year, with estimates reaching over 80,000 visitors annually. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
Some of the popular places at the lake include:
- Baker Bay Marina: This is a place where boats can be docked.
- Schwarz Park campground: Here, visitors can set up tents or park RVs to stay overnight.
People enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking at Dorena Lake. It's a beautiful area for families and friends to spend time outdoors.
