Recreational opportunities
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Travel Lane County and sponsored by EWEB.)
Along with other public agencies, Eugene Water & Electric Board provides a number
of recreational opportunities in the McKenzie River Valley. All of EWEB's recreation
facilities are connected to our hydroelectric projects in the area.
EWEB does not charge access fees for its recreational facilities; however, the U.S.
Forest Service and other public agencies may charge fees for access to campgrounds
and other facilities they manage in conjunction with EWEB's facilities.
This 40-acre lake, created with the completion of Leaburg Dam in 1929, offers fishing,
boating and picnicking. Visitors also can view salmon as they migrate up fish ladders
at the dam. Admission is free.
Directions: Take Highway 126 east from Eugene to Milepost 23.5. Cross the McKenzie
at Leaburg Dam to a parking lot.
The EWEB Goodpasture Boat Landing is located at mile 25.37 of Highway 126 East, about a half mile upstream from
Leaburg Lake. The landing includes 10 paved parking spaces, restroom facilities, interpretive signs, and
restored riparian and side channel areas.
This park, located along the south shore of Leaburg Lake, has picnic tables, benches
along the lake, trails, areas for large groups, volleyball courts, a softball field
and horseshoe pits. Large groups can , at no charge.
Next to the park is Leaburg Fish Hatchery, managed by the Oregon Department of Fish
& Wildlife. The hatchery raises about 750,000 trout and other game fish annually.
Directions: Take Highway 126 east from Eugene to Milepost 23.5. Cross the McKenzie
at Leaburg Dam to a parking lot.
The levees of EWEB's Walterville and Leaburg power canals, which divert McKenzie
River water to off-river powerhouses, offer informal hiking opportunities. Each
power canal is about 4 miles in length. A trail system offers interpretive displays,
overlooks and other amenities for hikers.
The U.S. Forest Service maintains an extensive trail system in the Upper McKenzie
River area in the vicinity of EWEB's Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project. The
web site has extensive information on these trails.
Located just east of Walterville along Highway 126, this pond provides fishing,
hiking and bird-watching opportunities.
About 70 miles east of Eugene, EWEB operates the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project.
Water is diverted from the McKenzie one-quarter mile below Koosah Falls and runs
through powerhouses to produce electricity. Recreational opportunities include:
Carmen Reservoir: A boat ramp provides access to this 30-acre diversion
reservoir. Ice Camp Campground (U.S. Forest Service; 22 campsites) is nearby. Directions:
Travel east from Eugene on Highway 126 to just past Milepost 69 (about 17 miles
east of McKenzie Bridge). A sign on the left directs you to the reservoir and campground.
Beaver Marsh: Located below Carmen Reservoir, this marshy area
has been preserved as wildlife habitat. A viewing station and interpretive displays
offer access to the area.
Smith Reservoir: This 170 acre reservoir created by Smith Dam features
a boat ramp, fishing and boat-access Lake's End Campground (Forest Service; 17 tent-only
campsites; boat-access only). Directions: Take Highway 126 east of Eugene to Milepost
62.2, then turn left at the sign. Go about two miles, past Carmen Powerhouse and
Trail Bridge Campground, to boat ramp.
Trail Bridge Reservoir: This 120-acre lake features fishing, access
to hiking trails and camping at Trail Bridge Campground (Forest Service; 26 sites).
Directions: Take Highway 126 east of Eugene to Milepost 62.2 (about 13 miles from
McKenzie Bridge), then turn left at sign. Campground turnoff is past powerhouse.
Camping, hiking, waterfalls: For information about U.S. Forest
Service campgrounds, trails and waterfall viewing spots in the project area, visit
the
web site.
The fountain area along the Willamette River, at EWEB's headquarters building, offers
a place to rest while on a bike ride or long walk, or to cool off on a hot summer
day. The plaza and fountain are for the public's enjoyment.