Enhancing recreational opportunities

The Carmen-Smith complex has played a significant role in enhancing recreational opportunities in the area.

According to surveys conducted as part of the relicensing effort, the project’s three reservoirs provide some of the most popular recreation in the entire Willamette National Forest. Based on relicensing study data, up to 40,000 annual visits are made to the Carmen, Smith and Trail Bridge recreation use areas. EWEB plans to further enhance recreational opportunities with the relicensing project.

The Final License Application contains several recommendations, as well as a call for a formal update of the existing Recreation Plan. Some of the proposed recreation enhancements include:

• Constructing a Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project information center to provide visitors with information about EWEB, the project, the surrounding environment and related environmental issues;
• Providing annual funding to the U.S. Forest Service for dispersed campsite management in the vicinity of Carmen Reservoir and above Smith Dam;
• Improving day use facilities at Beaver Marsh and east Carmen Reservoir, as well as the northwest portion of Carmen Reservoir, and providing funding to the U.S. Forest Service for management of the facilities;
• Improving fishing access at Carmen Reservoir;
• Improving parking and fishing access at the existing Smith Reservoir boat ramp;
• Developing a day use area with fishing access on Upper Smith Reservoir Road and providing funds to the U.S. Forest Service to manage the new facilities;
• Rebuilding Lakes End campground facilities at Smith Reservoir;
• Redesigning Trail Bridge Campground and day use area to better accommodate current recreation preferences, including RV camping and separate tent camping;
• Rebuilding the Trail Bridge day use area;
• Improving the Trail Bridge boat ramp for use during low water periods;
• Providing stream gauges for whitewater boaters and anglers.