EWEB operates parks and campgrounds to create value for our community and as required as part of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for our hydroelectric projects.
Carmen Smith Campgrounds & Reservoirs
We partner with the Willamette National Forest to provide the public with camping, hiking, fishing, educational, and wildlife observation opportunities around our Carmen Smith Hydropower Project, a network of three dams, three reservoirs, and two power-generating plants, located just a few miles downstream from the headwaters of the McKenzie River.
In 2019, we acquired a new license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This 40-year license allows us to continue generating hydropower at Carmen. In return for our license to operate, we will be enhancing and managing natural resources and rebuilding public recreation facilities in the area.
Learn more about recreation and infrastructure updates at the Carmen Smith project.
Temporary closures
Vehicle access to Trail Bridge and Lakes End campgrounds, the Trail Bridge Reservoir boat launch and Smith Reservoir will remain closed until the camping season in 2026 as part of EWEB’s work to retrofit, refurbish and upgrade equipment at our Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric facility. The McKenzie River Trail and associated trailheads will remain open throughout the reconstruction period. Vehicle access to Carmen Diversion Reservoir is expected to be open in Spring of 2025.
Leaburg Lake and Lloyd Knox Park
Our Lloyd Knox Park located along the shores of Leaburg Lake 22 miles east of Springfield offers recreational opportunities for people of all interests — and it's free.
You can stroll through the 50-acre park along maintained trails and picnic at one of the dozens of forested and lakeside picnicking spots. There are also six reservable areas that are suitable for anywhere from a couple dozen to a few hundred people.
You may reserve one of the group picnic areas starting the third weekend in April through Oct. 15. Outside of that date range, the park is first-come, first-served and the restrooms are locked (vault-toilet facilities remain available).
Please follow the park guidelines to ensure all visitors have a safe and enjoyable time.
To reserve one of the group areas, please complete an application.
Solicitud para el uso del Parque Lloyd Knox en Espanol
Park features
- Free parking
- Six reserveable group areas (5 with shelters, electric stove-tops, running water and garbage service)
- Hiking trails
- A "council-ring" bonfire and common area
- Sand volleyball court
- Six swing sets
- Four horseshoe pits
- A 4-acre open activity field
- More than 150 picnic tables
- Interactive educational center at the Leaburg Lake Visitor's Shelter
- Wheelchair accessible floating dock
- Restrooms
Watershed monitoring for recreational use
We are proactive in our efforts to maintain safe, clean drinking water for customers, and we go above and beyond what is required by OHA for cyanotoxin monitoring. In addition to OHA requirements, we collect samples from several locations within the McKenzie Watershed to provide early warning of when cyanocaterial harmful algal blooms are producing cyanotoxins. This monitoring allows us to share potential recreational exposure to these cyanotoxins in our reservoirs and rivers.
You can see the locations and results of this watershed sampling by clicking the watershed testing results button below. These results represent conditions at specific locations on the day and time of sampling. These results to do represent the entire waterbody and should be used for general purposes only. The data is jubject to change as new information is received. The Oregon Health Authority advices, "Don't go into water that looks foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green, blue-green, or brownish red. A good rule of thumb for you and your pet is: When in Doubt, Stay Out!"
Watershed testing resultsRelated Programs
Carmen-Smith Relicensing
For more than 50 years, Carmen-Smith has reliably served our customers with low-cost, local hydropower. Relicensing the project includes upgrading much of the equipment, campground improvements, and more fish-friendly operations.
Protecting the McKenzie
Protecting the McKenzie River Watershed helps to ensure excellent drinking water quality for customers and residents today and into the future.
Our commitment to the environment
As a public utility, we share our customers' values around environmental stewardship.
Wildfire safety and prevention
Community wildfire prevention is increasingly important as climate, drought and a host of other issues are converging—resulting in more frequent and damaging wildfire events.
