Hills Creek Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hills Creek Reservoir |
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Aerial view
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 Hills Creek Reservoir
Location in Oregon
Hills Creek Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lane County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43°40′16″N 122°25′33″W / 43.67111°N 122.42583°W |
| Type | Reservoir, mesotrophic |
| Primary inflows | Middle Fork Willamette River |
| Primary outflows | Middle Fork Willamette River |
| Catchment area | 389 square miles (1,010 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,735 acres (1,107 ha) |
| Average depth | 130 feet (40 m) |
| Max. depth | 299 feet (91 m) |
| Water volume | 356,000 acre-feet (439,000,000 m3) |
| Residence time | 1.4 months |
| Shore length1 | 32 miles (51 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,545 feet (471 m) |
| Settlements | Oakridge |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Hills Creek Reservoir, also known as Hills Creek Lake, is a large, man-made lake in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was created in 1961 when the Hills Creek Dam was built across the Middle Fork Willamette River. The lake is located near the town of Oakridge in Lane County. It's about 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Eugene.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Hills Creek Dam. Their main goals were to control floods and to produce hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity is electricity made using the power of moving water. Since it was built, the lake has become a very popular spot for fun activities. People enjoy its parks, boat launches, and fishing areas.
The lake and the creek it's named after got their name from John J. Hill. He settled near the mouth of Hills Creek in 1870.
Fun Activities at Hills Creek Reservoir
Hills Creek Reservoir is a great place for outdoor fun. The United States Forest Service helps manage many areas around the lake. These include campgrounds, picnic spots, and trails for hiking.
Some popular spots include:
- Packard Creek Campground
- Bingham Boat Launch
- C.T. Beach Picnic Area
- Larison Cove Canoe Area
- Larison Trail Area
The lake offers many chances to have a good time. You can go swimming or try waterskiing. It's also a popular spot for fishing and boating.
Fishing in the Lake
Hills Creek Reservoir is home to several types of fish. You might find:
- Crappie
- Wild coastal cutthroat trout
- Threatened bull trout
- Stocked rainbow trout
The rainbow trout found here usually measure about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) long. If you catch any wild trout (those without a clipped fin), you must release them back into the water. This helps protect the fish population.
