kids encyclopedia robot

Jubilee Lake facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Jubilee Lake
A metal and wooden dock and a small white boat floating beside in shallow water, with evergreen trees in the background
Dock at Jubilee Lake
Location of Jubilee Lake in Oregon, USA.
Location of Jubilee Lake in Oregon, USA.
Jubilee Lake
Location in Oregon
Location of Jubilee Lake in Oregon, USA.
Location of Jubilee Lake in Oregon, USA.
Jubilee Lake
Location in the United States
Location Union County, Oregon, United States
Coordinates 45°49′53″N 117°57′39″W / 45.8315005°N 117.9607769°W / 45.8315005; -117.9607769
Type Reservoir
Primary inflows Motett Creek and seasonal streams from melting snow
Primary outflows Motett Creek
Catchment area 4.2 sq mi (11 km2)
Managing agency U.S. Forest Service
Built 1967–1968
Surface area 92.33 acres (37.36 ha)
Average depth 16 ft (4.9 m)
Max. depth 45 ft (14 m)
Water volume 62,639,280 cu ft (1,773,747 m3)
Residence time 2 months
Shore length1 2.6 mi (4.2 km)
Surface elevation 4,761 ft (1,451 m)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Jubilee Lake is a beautiful man-made lake in the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon. It was created in 1968 to be a fun place for people to visit and enjoy nature. The lake is about 92.33-acre (37.36 ha) big and is a very popular spot for outdoor activities.

Where is Jubilee Lake?

Jubilee Lake is found in the northern part of Union County, Oregon. It sits high up in the mountains, at an elevation of about 4,761 feet (1,451 m). The lake is located about 19 miles (31 km) north of a town called Elgin. It's also not too far from the border with Washington, about 11 miles (18 km) south of it. The area around the lake, called its basin, stretches across three different counties: Union, Umatilla, and Wallowa.

How Jubilee Lake Was Made

Jubilee Lake is not a natural lake. It was created by people in 1968. Workers built a large earthen dam across Motett Creek. This dam was about 350 feet (110 m) long and 50 feet (15 m) high. The dam held back the water from the creek, forming the lake we see today. The main purpose of building the lake was to provide a place for recreation.

Fun Activities at the Lake

Jubilee Lake is a favorite spot for many outdoor adventures. The U.S. Forest Service runs a campground right by the lake. This campground has 53 campsites and is the busiest one in the entire Umatilla National Forest.

The most popular things to do at Jubilee Lake are:

  • Fishing: The lake is stocked with Rainbow trout, which means young trout are regularly added to the lake so people can catch them. There's even a special youth fishing event held every year, which is a great chance for kids to learn how to fish.
  • Swimming: On warm days, the lake is a perfect place to cool off and swim.
  • Hiking: There's a 2.8-mile (4.5 km) trail that goes all the way around the lake's shore. This trail is very special because it was named a National Recreation Trail in 1981. It's a great way to explore the area and enjoy the scenery.

Lake Environment

Jubilee Lake is considered a "mesotrophic" lake. This means it has a medium amount of plant and animal life. It's not too rich in nutrients, and not too poor. The area around the lake gets a good amount of rain and snow each year, about 50 inches (1,300 mm) of precipitation. This water helps keep the lake full and healthy.

kids search engine
Jubilee Lake Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.