| Waldo Lake | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Location | Cascade Mountains, Oregon |
| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | Alpine |
| Primary outflows | North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5.75 mi (9.25 km) |
| Max. width | 2.75 mi (4.4 km) |
| Surface area | > 10 sq mi |
| Average depth | 128 ft (39 m) mean |
| Max. depth | 420 ft |
| Water volume | 953.7 cubic hectometers |
| Surface elevation | 5,414 ft |
Waldo Lake is a lake in the Cascade Mountains of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the second largest lake in Oregon with more than 10 square miles (26 km²) of water and a maximum depth of 420 feet. The lake is named after Oregon politician, judge, and conservationist John B. Waldo.[1]
Contents |
Location
The lake is located in Lane County at an elevation of 5,414 feet above sea level. Access is via Forest Service Road 5897 from Oregon Route 58 approximately 18 miles (29 km) east of Oakridge. The forest road travels 12 miles (19 km) to the lake.
History
The area was first inhabited by Native Americans, and the lake was later discovered by Molalla Indian Charlie Tufti. It was then named Pengra Lake after B.J. Pengra. Later the lake was named in honor of Judge John B. Waldo from the Oregon Supreme Court who helped push for preservation in the Cascades which began with the Cascade Forest Reserve established by President Cleveland in 1893. The area was also used by sheep farmers for graizing prior to the establishment of recreation facilities by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression in 1939. Later facilities were built by the Forest Service in 1971. In 1979 the lake received around 10,000 visitor days per year, and by 1989 that number increased to 32,000 per year.[2] Between those year, in 1984 37,000 acres to the north, west, and south were designated as wilderness area by the federal government.[2] In 1996 a forest fire, the Charlton fire, swept by the lake and forced the evacuation of several campgrounds while burning much of the north side of the lake’s surrounding forest.[3]
Reservoir Plans
Starting in 1905 plans were begun to use the lake as a reservoir for irrigation in the Willamette Valley.[4] To this end the Waldo Lake Irrigation and Power Company was created in 1908 by several people including F.H. Ray. In 1909 a permit was issued by the Forest Service to build a tunnel from the lake to a nearby creek. Construction of the tunnel began that year and finished in 1914 under the direction of engineer Simon Klovdahl. The 500 foot tunnel was able to lower the lake level by 25 feet. However, the company was never able to prosper and the head gates on the SW shore were sealed in 1960.
Details
Waldo Lake has a surface area of 9.8 square miles.[5] It has an average depth of 128 feet with a maximum depth of 420 feet. This makes Waldo the second deepest lake in the state after Crater Lake.[5] The lake is restocked with trout every other year, since many fish do not survive due to the lack of organic material.[2] The lake has a 10 mph speed limit for boats.[3]
Recreation
- Fishing
- Boating
- Hiking
- Campgrounds:
- North Waldo
- Shadow Bay
- Gold Lake
- Taylor Burn
- Islet
There are 205 designated campsites total among the campgrounds and an additional 50 primitive tent sites around the lake.[3]
Other
Besides the lake, the area includes Waldo Lake Wilderness Area. Additionally, the Pacific Crest Trail passes through the area. The area is also the headwaters of the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. There are numerous alpine lakes and small mountain peaks around Waldo Lake. Waldo Lake and the surrounding area is part of both the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests.
See also
References
- ^ Snowshoe Routes: Oregon, Shea Andersen, 2001, The Mountaineers Books ISBN 0-89886-833-5
- ^ a b c Hill, Richard. Their goal is clear. The Oregonian, August 16, 1990
- ^ a b c Hill, Kelly. Saving the silence at Waldo Lake. The Oregonian, June 30, 2004.
- ^ Waldo Lake Wilderness and Recreation Area. Forest Service Maps. U.S. Forest Service.
- ^ a b Sleeth, Peter. Goodbye, crowds solitude at Waldo Lake. The Oregonian, September 12, 2004.
