Mason Dam facts for kids
Mason Dam is a large structure built across a river near Baker City, Oregon. It's located in Baker County, which is in the northeastern part of the state. This dam helps manage water for the area.
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Mason Dam: A Big Helper in Oregon
Mason Dam is a special project designed to save and manage water. It was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, a government agency that handles water resources. The dam is made of earth and rocks, and its construction took a few years, from 1965 to 1968.
Who Owns and Runs the Dam?
Even though the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation owns Mason Dam, a local group called the Baker Valley Irrigation District helps run it every day. They make sure the water is used properly for farming and other needs in the Baker Valley. Another important water storage area, Thief Valley Reservoir, built in 1932, is also part of this big water management plan for the region.
Phillips Reservoir: The Lake Behind the Dam
Mason Dam is quite tall, standing about 167 feet high. It holds back the water of the Powder River to create a large lake called Phillips Reservoir. This reservoir can hold a huge amount of water, about 114,000 acre-feet. To give you an idea, one acre-foot is enough water to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep!
Fun Things to Do at Phillips Reservoir
Phillips Reservoir covers a big area, about 2,235 acres. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities. People love to go fishing, boating, and camping there. The lake is surrounded by the beautiful Wallowa–Whitman National Forest, which makes it a great place to explore nature.
Making Electricity at the Dam
Baker County is working on an exciting new project at Mason Dam. They are adding a power plant that will use the force of the water to create electricity. This is called hydroelectric power. Once it's built, the power plant will sell the electricity it makes to Idaho Power, sending it through a nearby power line. This means Mason Dam will not only help manage water but also provide clean energy!
