Haystack Dam facts for kids
Haystack Dam is a large structure in central Oregon, located about ten miles south of Madras. It helps manage water for the area and creates a popular spot for outdoor activities.
Haystack Dam: A Central Oregon Landmark
Building the Dam
Haystack Dam was built in 1957. It's an earthen dam, which means it's made mostly of compacted earth and rock. The dam stands 105 feet tall and stretches 1200 feet across its top.
The United States Bureau of Reclamation, a government agency that builds water projects, constructed the dam. Haystack Dam is part of a bigger water system called the Deschutes Project. This project also includes other important water storage areas like the Crane Prairie Reservoir and the Wickiup Reservoir.
Haystack Dam works as an "offstream" storage facility. This means it holds water that is diverted from a river, rather than blocking the river directly. The Bureau of Reclamation owns the dam, but a local group called the North Unit Irrigation District helps operate it. They make sure water is managed well for local needs.
Haystack Reservoir: A Place for Fun
The dam creates a lake called Haystack Reservoir. This reservoir covers about 233 acres of water. It has roughly five miles of shoreline, which is great for exploring. The reservoir can hold a lot of water, up to 5,600 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land one foot deep.
Haystack Reservoir is a popular place for many outdoor activities. People enjoy fishing for different kinds of fish, including largemouth bass, crappie, rainbow trout, kokanee, brown trout, and brown bullhead. You can also go camping, boating, and hunting in the area around the reservoir.
