Puneet Varma (Editor)

Detroit Lake

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Lake type
  
Reservoir

Basin countries
  
United States

Surface elevation
  
477 m

Length
  
14.4 km

Islands
  
Piety Knob

Primary outflows
  
North Santiam River

Max. length
  
9 mi (14.4 km)

Area
  
14.16 km²

Cities
  
Detroit

Image result for Detroit Lake
Location
  
Linn / Marion counties, Oregon,United States

Primary inflows
  
North Santiam and Breitenbush Rivers

Inflow source
  
North Santiam River, Breitenbush River

Detroit lake gorgeous oregon series


Detroit Lake is a reservoir impounded by the Detroit Dam on the North Santiam River 46 miles (74 km) southeast of Salem, Oregon, United States. The lake is adjacent to Oregon Route 22 near the city of Detroit. This mesotrophic lake stores water for use by the city of Salem and other nearby communities.

Contents

Map of Detroit Lake, Oregon, USA

Some detroit lake fishing and then salmon fishing in the garbage hole


HistoryEdit

Detroit Lake is situated over a historical road bed of the former Oregon Pacific Railroad. This route was built by Colonel T. Egenton Hogg as a proposed transcontinental railroad. Because of a lack of funding, the line terminated in Idanha, southeast of the lake. Idanha had rail service until the 1950s, when the track was removed for installation of the Detroit and Big Cliff reservoirs. Detroit Lake was created in 1953 after the completion of the dam. Part of the Willamette Valley Projects, the lake was intended primarily for flood control and power generation but has become one of the major recreation resources in western Oregon.

DetailsEdit

The reservoir has a capacity of 455,000 acre feet (561,000,000 m3) of water when full and 281,600 acre feet (347,300,000 m3) in the summer when drawn down. Located in the North Santiam Canyon, the 9-mile (14 km) long lake has shoreline of 32 miles (51 km) when full. One swimming opportunity is at the Mongold Day-Use Area (an Oregon State Park). Detroit Lake is stocked by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife with 125,000 catchable rainbow trout along with fingerling rainbow, kokanee and chinook salmon. A self-sustaining population of brown bullhead catfish resides in the lake.

Detroit Lake offers year round fishing as long as you fish in still water and not in or near the rivers and streams. It is one of 32 lakes federally designated for recreation, managed by the United States Forest Service. The lake serves many purposes including flood control, water conservation, and recreation.

There are many camping and recreation opportunities at Detroit Lake. In 2009, a new winter boat ramp was constructed, making it possible to launch a boat safely during the winter months when other ramps are on dry ground.

Water LevelsEdit

The water level fluctuates with snow pack, precipitation, and the water consumption of Salem, and surrounding areas. At low pool, it has a surface elevation of 1,450 feet (440 m); at the full pool season—typically May 1 to September 1—it can raise up 119 feet (36 m) to a water elevation of 1,569 feet (478 m).

In 2015 and 2016 low water levels in the reservoir impacted recreation, the operation of marinas and the economy in the Santiam Canyon.

References

Detroit Lake Wikipedia