Fourmile Lake (Oregon)

Fourmile Lake (or Four Mile Lake) is a reservoir located 5,748 feet (1,752 m) above sea level in Klamath County, Oregon, United States. It is 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Medford.[2] The lake was created when the 25-foot (7.6 m) tall Fourmile Lake Dam was constructed, impounding Fourmile Creek, in the Klamath River watershed. It is located just to the east of Mount McLoughlin, which stands 9,495 feet (2,894 m) above sea level. The lake is bordered by Sky Lakes Wilderness, and is in the Winema National Forest.

Fourmile Lake
Fourmile Lake, Southwest shore
Fourmile Lake
Fourmile Lake
LocationKlamath County, Oregon
Coordinates42°27′57″N 122°15′14″W
TypeReservoir
Primary inflowsFourmile Creek
Primary outflowsFourmile Creek
Catchment area105 square miles (270 km2)
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area740 acres (3,000,000 m2)
Max. depth170 feet (52 m)
Water volume15,600 acre feet (19,200,000 m3)
Surface elevation5,748 feet (1,752 m)[1]

History

In 1898, the Fish Lake Water Company was established to help irrigate the Rogue Valley. The company proposed create Fourmile Lake and enlarge nearby Fish Lake for added water storage. The Fourmile Lake Dam was constructed in 1906, while Fish Lake was completed in 1908. The two lakes were connected in 1915 by the Cascade Canal, taking water from Fourmile Lake over the Cascade Divide to Fish Lake, supplementing Little Butte Creek.[3] In 1955, the dam was repaired, and a new spillway was added.[2]

Statistics

Fourmile Lake has an average surface area of 740 acres (3,000,000 m2),[4][5] an average volume of 15,600 acre feet (19,200,000 m3),[2] and a 105-square-mile (270 km2) drainage basin.[6] It has a maximum depth of 170 feet (52 m).[4][5] Fourmile Lake Dam stands 25 feet (7.6 m) tall and 660 feet (200 m) long.[2]

Fauna

Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Brook Trout, and Lake trout are common in the lake.[4] The Bushy-tailed Woodrat and Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, species of least concern, can be found around the lake.[7]

Recreation

The Pacific Crest Trail passes by about 2 miles (3.2 km) from Fourmile Lake.[8][9] The lake is included in the Winema National Forest.[10] The Sky Lakes Wilderness borders the lake, and a trail leads into it. One campground is located near the lake.[8][11] Popular activities include fishing, swimming, and boating.[11]

See also
  • List of lakes in Oregon

References
  1. "Fourmile Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
  2. "Rogue River Basin Project". United States Bureau of Reclamation. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
  3. "The Rogue River Basin Project Talent Division" (PDF). United States Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 14, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
  4. Shewey, John (2007). Complete Angler's Guide to Oregon. Wilderness Adventures Press. pp. 76–77. ISBN 978-1-932098-31-0.
  5. Bernstein, Art (2001). Hiking Oregon's southern Cascades and Siskiyous. Globe Pequot. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-56044-898-3.
  6. "Rogue River Basin Project Water Data". United States Bureau of Reclamation. Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
  7. Verts, B. J.; Carraway, Leslie (1998). Land mammals of Oregon (2nd ed.). University of California Press. pp. 534, 563. ISBN 978-0-520-21199-5.
  8. Stienstra, Tom (2006). Moon Oregon Camping: The Complete Guide to Tent and RV Camping (2nd ed.). Avalon Travel Publishing. p. 372. ISBN 978-1-56691-604-2.
  9. Semb, Patricia (2000). Day Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon-Washington. Wilderness Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-89997-276-3.
  10. Pyle, Jeanne (2004). The Best in Tent Camping: Oregon. Menasha Ridge Press. pp. 104–105. ISBN 978-0-89732-570-7.
  11. Ostertag, George (2005). Camping Oregon (2nd ed.). Globe Pequot. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-7627-3643-0.
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