Leaburg, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leaburg, Oregon
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 Leaburg, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Leaburg, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Lane |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
97489
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| Area code(s) | 458 and 541 |
Leaburg is a small, unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is located right on the McKenzie River and Oregon Route 126. You can find it east of Walterville and west of Vida.
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Leaburg's Early Days
The first post office in this area opened in 1877. It was named "Leaburgh" after Leander Cruzan, who was the first postmaster. Later, the spelling was changed to "Leaburg." For a short time, the post office moved and was called "Deerhorn." However, a new Leaburg post office opened again in 1907.
Hydropower and Fish Hatcheries
The city of Eugene gets some of its power from the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB). EWEB operates the Leaburg Power Plant on the McKenzie River. This plant is about one mile (1.6 km) east of Leaburg. It is one of three hydropower projects EWEB has on the river.
Leaburg Dam and Power Plant
The Leaburg Dam was built in 1928, about three miles (5 km) east of the community. This dam creates the Leaburg Reservoir, which is about 40 acres (160,000 m²) in size. The dam also sends water into the Leaburg Canal. This canal keeps the water at a higher level than the river for about five miles (8 km). This difference in height allows the water to spin the power plant's turbines and generators, making electricity.
The Leaburg Power Plant was designed in 1929 by a famous Oregon architect named Ellis F. Lawrence. It was built in the Art Deco style. The plant even has sculptures inspired by Greek mythology made by Harry Poole Camden.
Leaburg Fish Hatchery
Near the power plant, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) runs the Leaburg Hatchery. This hatchery raises rainbow trout and steelhead fish. You can also visit EWEB's Lloyd Knox Water Board Park on the south shore of the reservoir.
Other Fish Hatcheries Nearby
The ODFW also manages the McKenzie Salmon Hatchery. This hatchery is about two miles (3 km) east of Leaburg, on the north side of the river. It was first built in 1938 and then rebuilt in 1975.
About four miles (6 km) east of Leaburg, you'll find the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery. This historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. It used to raise trout and salmon from 1907 until the 1950s. Many of the original buildings are still there, including the main house built for the hatchery superintendent. Today, the Lane County Parks Department looks after the site. The McKenzie River Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Information Center is also located here.
Leaburg's Climate
Leaburg has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
