Owyhee Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Owyhee Reservoir |
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 Owyhee Reservoir
Location in Oregon
Owyhee Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Malheur County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43°27′41″N 117°20′18″W / 43.46139°N 117.33833°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Owyhee River |
| Primary outflows | Owyhee River |
| Catchment area | 11,160 sq mi (28,900 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| First flooded | 1932 |
| Max. length | 52 mi (84 km) |
| Surface area | 13,900 acres (5,600 ha) |
| Average depth | 81 ft (25 m) |
| Max. depth | 117 ft (36 m) |
| Water volume | 1,122,000 acre⋅ft (1,384,000 dam3) |
| Residence time | 1.7 years |
| Shore length1 | 125 mi (201 km) |
| Surface elevation | 2,670 ft (810 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Owyhee Reservoir, also known as Owyhee Lake, is a very long lake in Oregon, United States. It's not a natural lake, but a man-made one, created by building a big wall called the Owyhee Dam. This lake is super important because it helps farmers grow crops in Oregon and Idaho by providing water for their fields. It's also a great place for fishing and enjoying nature!
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Owyhee Reservoir: Oregon's Longest Lake
Owyhee Reservoir is a large, artificial lake located in Malheur County, Oregon, which is in the eastern part of Oregon, close to the border with Idaho. It was formed in 1932 when the Owyhee Dam was finished. This dam holds back the water from the Owyhee River, creating the long lake we see today.
The reservoir is an amazing 52 miles (84 km) long, making it the longest lake in Oregon! It covers an area of about 13,900 acres (5,600 ha), which is a huge amount of water. The main purpose of Owyhee Reservoir is to store water for irrigation. This means it provides water to over 1,800 farms, helping them grow food on more than 118,000 acres of land in Eastern Oregon and Southwestern Idaho.
Fun Facts About the Lake
- Longest Lake: Owyhee Reservoir holds the record for being the longest lake in the state of Oregon.
- Man-Made Wonder: It's not a natural lake, but was created by people building the Owyhee Dam.
- Water for Farms: The lake is super important for farming, supplying water to many farms in the area.
- Big Dam: The Owyhee Dam, which created the lake, was a very big project when it was built.
Fishing and Wildlife
Owyhee Reservoir is a popular spot for fishing. The lake is home to several types of fish that anglers love to catch. These include:
Besides fish, the area around the reservoir is also home to various wildlife. You might see different kinds of birds and other animals that live near the water and in the desert landscape.
Visiting Lake Owyhee State Park
If you want to visit Owyhee Reservoir, you can go to Lake Owyhee State Park. This park is located on the northeast shore of the lake. It's a great place for outdoor activities. The park has a boat ramp, so you can launch your boat and explore the long lake. It's a seasonal park, meaning it's open during certain times of the year, usually when the weather is best for enjoying the lake.
