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Diamond Lake (Oregon)
Encyclopedia
Diamond Lake is a lake
in the southern
part of the U.S. state
of Oregon
. It lies near the junction of Oregon Route 138 and Oregon Route 230 in the Umpqua National Forest
in Douglas County
. It is located between Mount Bailey
to the west and Mount Thielsen
to the east; it is just north of Crater Lake National Park
.
The outlet of the lake is at its north end. From there, water flows via Lake Creek into the North Umpqua River
and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean.
Diamond Lake was named for John Diamond, for whom Diamond Peak
is also named. He discovered the lake in 1852 while on the summit of Diamond Peak. Diamond was a pioneer settler
of Coburg, Oregon
who was part of a party that was opening a road between the Middle Fork Willamette River
and Idaho
as an immigration route.
The post office of Diamond Lake, Oregon was established in 1925 and ran until 1956, when it was changed to a summer-only office.
, although the species is not native to the lake. In 1992, another non-native species tui chub
were detected in the lake. These fish, presumed to have been introduced illegally as bait for the trout, grew quickly in population, and had a strong negative impact on the lake's ecology. In what once was a "showcase trout fishery", the lake's water became murky, trout declined, and the insect population dropped dramatically. This had also happened at the lake in 1954.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
poisoned the lake with Rotenone
in 2006 to kill off the tui chub and restore balance to the ecosystem. The project was more successful than anticipated; in 2007 dramatic improvements were noted.
While monitoring current fish populations in 2008 the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife discovered a population of golden shiner
s which is an invasive species to the lake. Through electrofishing 639 fish have been removed so far. The Oregon State Police
is currently investigating how the fish were introduced into the lake.
There are five boat ramps around the lake, all of which have paved access. The speed limit on the lake is 10 mph. Trolling for rainbow trout using rooster tails, crocodiles and super dupers are some of the most productive methods reported on Diamond Lake. Anglers have used a variety of spinners and lures. Anchored near Silent Creek or Lake Creek fishing is reportedly effective by use of woolly-buggers and black ants or PowerBait. As with other freshwater fisheries, the use of live fish is banned on Diamond Lake.
and Mt Thielsen
. The Pacific Crest trail and Crater Lake
are also near the lake. Wildlife viewing and birdwatching
are productive around the lake and the surrounding mountains. One of the trails around the lake has a paved bike route 11 miles long. The US Forest Service permits snowmobiling and backcountry skiing through the winter months. The Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area
is the closest state park to Diamond Lake.
currently operates three campgrounds in the area surrounding Diamond Lake: the original campground, Diamond Lake, and two newer additions, Thielsen View Campground and Broken Arrow Campground.
Private owners constructed the Diamond Lake Resort in the early twentieth century and it is still operating today. The north shore resort consists of a motel, cabins, restaurant, boat house and a small store selling grocery items and gift items. On the south shore of the lake there is another small store and a pizza parlor, South Shore Pizza.
The Diamond Lake Resort sees its busiest times of year in the winter and summer. Winter activities include snowmobiling, snow skiing,and iceskating. Summer activities include fishing, swimming, horseback riding and camping.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in the southern
Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which consists of the...
part of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. It lies near the junction of Oregon Route 138 and Oregon Route 230 in the Umpqua National Forest
Umpqua National Forest
Umpqua National Forest, in southern Oregon's Cascade mountains, covers an area of one-million acres in Douglas, Lane, and Jackson Counties, and borders Crater Lake National Park. The four ranger districts that comprise the Forest are Cottage Grove, Diamond Lake, North Umpqua, and Tiller Ranger...
in Douglas County
Douglas County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -...
. It is located between Mount Bailey
Mount Bailey (Oregon)
Mount Bailey is a relatively young tephra cone and shield volcano in the Cascade Range, located on the opposite side of Diamond Lake from Mount Thielsen in southern Oregon, United States. Bailey consists of a high main cone on top of an old basaltic andesite shield volcano. With a volume of ,...
to the west and Mount Thielsen
Mount Thielsen
Mount Thielsen, or Big Cowhorn, is an extinct shield volcano in the Oregon High Cascades, near Mount Bailey. Because Mount Thielsen stopped erupting 250,000 years ago, glaciers have heavily eroded the volcano's structure, creating precipitous slopes and its horn-like peak...
to the east; it is just north of Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is a United States National Park located in southern Oregon. Established in 1902, Crater Lake National Park is the sixth oldest national park in the United States and the only one in the state of Oregon...
.
The outlet of the lake is at its north end. From there, water flows via Lake Creek into the North Umpqua River
North Umpqua River
The North Umpqua River is a tributary of the Umpqua River, approximately long, in southwestern Oregon in the United States. It drains a scenic and rugged area of the Cascade Range southwest of Eugene, flowing through steep canyons and surrounded by large Douglas-fir forests...
and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean.
Diamond Lake was named for John Diamond, for whom Diamond Peak
Diamond Peak (Oregon)
Diamond Peak is a shield volcano in south west Oregon and is part of the Cascade Range. The mountain is located near Willamette Pass in the Diamond Peak Wilderness within the Willamette National Forest....
is also named. He discovered the lake in 1852 while on the summit of Diamond Peak. Diamond was a pioneer settler
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
of Coburg, Oregon
Coburg, Oregon
Coburg is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States, north of Eugene. The city's population as of the 2010 census was 1,035.- History :...
who was part of a party that was opening a road between the Middle Fork Willamette River
Middle Fork Willamette River
The Middle Fork Willamette River is one of several forks that unite to form the Willamette River in the western part of the U.S. state of Oregon...
and Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
as an immigration route.
The post office of Diamond Lake, Oregon was established in 1925 and ran until 1956, when it was changed to a summer-only office.
Invasive species
Diamond Lake has been known as one of the most desired fishing lakes in Southern Oregon, famous for its large rainbow troutRainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
, although the species is not native to the lake. In 1992, another non-native species tui chub
Tui chub
The Tui chub, Gila bicolor, is a cyprinid fish native to western North America. Widespread in many areas, it is an important food source for other fish, including the cutthroat trout.- Range :...
were detected in the lake. These fish, presumed to have been introduced illegally as bait for the trout, grew quickly in population, and had a strong negative impact on the lake's ecology. In what once was a "showcase trout fishery", the lake's water became murky, trout declined, and the insect population dropped dramatically. This had also happened at the lake in 1954.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon responsible for programs protecting Oregon fish and wildlife resources and their habitats....
poisoned the lake with Rotenone
Rotenone
Rotenone is an odorless chemical that is used as a broad-spectrum insecticide, piscicide, and pesticide. It occurs naturally in the roots and stems of several plants such as the jicama vine plant...
in 2006 to kill off the tui chub and restore balance to the ecosystem. The project was more successful than anticipated; in 2007 dramatic improvements were noted.
While monitoring current fish populations in 2008 the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife discovered a population of golden shiner
Golden shiner
The golden shiner is a cyprinid fish native to eastern North America. It is the sole member of its genus. Much used as a bait fish, it is probably the most widely pond-cultured fish in the United States.-Description:...
s which is an invasive species to the lake. Through electrofishing 639 fish have been removed so far. The Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police
The Oregon State Police is the main state law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of Oregon. They have been charged to enforce all of Oregon's criminal laws and to help local law enforcement agencies with their duties...
is currently investigating how the fish were introduced into the lake.
Fishing
Fishing on Diamond Lake is best on the shallow waters of the south end near Silent Creek as well as in the deep water areas of the north end of the lake. Bank fishing is also productive accessible by several trails around the lake. Bank fishing opportunities can also be found around the Diamond Lake Resort, near Lake Creek and along the US Forest Service campgrounds. Fishing is good throughout the seaseon with some of the best fishing being reported from the end of April through May and in the fall around the time the fishing season closes.There are five boat ramps around the lake, all of which have paved access. The speed limit on the lake is 10 mph. Trolling for rainbow trout using rooster tails, crocodiles and super dupers are some of the most productive methods reported on Diamond Lake. Anglers have used a variety of spinners and lures. Anchored near Silent Creek or Lake Creek fishing is reportedly effective by use of woolly-buggers and black ants or PowerBait. As with other freshwater fisheries, the use of live fish is banned on Diamond Lake.
Hiking
Some of the trails around Diamond Lake lead to hiking to the summits of nearby Mt BaileyMount Bailey (Oregon)
Mount Bailey is a relatively young tephra cone and shield volcano in the Cascade Range, located on the opposite side of Diamond Lake from Mount Thielsen in southern Oregon, United States. Bailey consists of a high main cone on top of an old basaltic andesite shield volcano. With a volume of ,...
and Mt Thielsen
Mount Thielsen
Mount Thielsen, or Big Cowhorn, is an extinct shield volcano in the Oregon High Cascades, near Mount Bailey. Because Mount Thielsen stopped erupting 250,000 years ago, glaciers have heavily eroded the volcano's structure, creating precipitous slopes and its horn-like peak...
. The Pacific Crest trail and Crater Lake
Crater Lake
Crater Lake is a caldera lake located in the south-central region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the main feature of Crater Lake National Park and famous for its deep blue color and water clarity. The lake partly fills a nearly deep caldera that was formed around 7,700 years agoby the...
are also near the lake. Wildlife viewing and birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
are productive around the lake and the surrounding mountains. One of the trails around the lake has a paved bike route 11 miles long. The US Forest Service permits snowmobiling and backcountry skiing through the winter months. The Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area
Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area
Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area is a state park located on the Rogue River approximately from Crater Lake National Park and northeast of Medford in Jackson County, southern Oregon. It is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Campsites are provided overlooking the ...
is the closest state park to Diamond Lake.
Campgrounds and resorts
The United States Forest ServiceUnited States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
currently operates three campgrounds in the area surrounding Diamond Lake: the original campground, Diamond Lake, and two newer additions, Thielsen View Campground and Broken Arrow Campground.
Private owners constructed the Diamond Lake Resort in the early twentieth century and it is still operating today. The north shore resort consists of a motel, cabins, restaurant, boat house and a small store selling grocery items and gift items. On the south shore of the lake there is another small store and a pizza parlor, South Shore Pizza.
The Diamond Lake Resort sees its busiest times of year in the winter and summer. Winter activities include snowmobiling, snow skiing,and iceskating. Summer activities include fishing, swimming, horseback riding and camping.
External links
- Diamond Lake FAQ from Douglas County website