Fall Creek Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fall Creek Lake |
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 Fall Creek Lake
Location in Oregon
Fall Creek Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lane County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43°56′33″N 122°45′25″W / 43.94250°N 122.75694°W |
| Type | Reservoir, mesotrophic |
| Primary inflows | Fall Creek |
| Primary outflows | Fall Creek |
| Catchment area | 184 square miles (480 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,716 acres (694 ha) |
| Average depth | 67 feet (20 m) |
| Max. depth | 161 feet (49 m) |
| Water volume | 125,000 acre-feet (154,000,000 m3) |
| Residence time | 3.5 months |
| Shore length1 | 22 miles (35 km) |
| Surface elevation | 834 feet (254 m) |
| Settlements | Unity, Lowell |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Fall Creek Lake, also called Fall Creek Reservoir, is a human-made lake in Lane County, Oregon. It's located about 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Eugene. The lake is formed by the Fall Creek Dam on Fall Creek.
You can find the communities of Unity and Lowell near the lake. The dam itself is 205 feet (62 m) tall. It can hold a lot of water, up to 125,000 acre-feet (154,000,000 m3). The lake has two main parts, or "arms." One arm follows Fall Creek, and the other follows Winberry Creek, which flows into the lake.
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Why Was Fall Creek Lake Built?
Fall Creek Lake is one of 13 large water projects in the Willamette Valley. These projects are managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The lake was finished in 1966. Its main job is to help control floods on the Willamette River.
How the Lake Helps with Floods
The Corps of Engineers keeps the lake full during spring and early summer. This is when people use it most for fun activities. But in late summer and through winter, they lower the water level. They can drop it by up to 100 feet (30 m). This creates space in the lake to store extra water. This space is very important during the rainy season. It helps prevent floods downstream. When the water is low, you might see muddy areas around the lake. This makes it harder to do some water activities.
Fun Things to Do at Fall Creek Lake
Fall Creek Lake is a great place for outdoor activities. There are many spots for day trips and camping.
Activities and Amenities
You can find picnic tables, boat ramps, and swimming areas. There are also restrooms and a fishing pier. Many people enjoy waterskiing and jet-skiing on the lake.
Getting Around the Lake
Several roads lead to different parts of the lake. Winberry Creek Road runs along the Winberry arm. Big Fall Creek Road and Peninsula Road follow the Fall Creek arm. These roads take you to various campgrounds and day-use sites. Forest Road 18 goes even further upstream along Fall Creek. It leads to more campgrounds and hiking trails in the Cascade Range.
