Waldo Lake
Encyclopedia
Waldo Lake is a lake
in the Cascade Mountains of the U.S. state
of Oregon
. It is the second largest natural non-alkali lake in Oregon with more than 10 square miles (26 km²) of water and a maximum depth of 420 feet (128 m). The lake is named after Oregon politician, judge, and conservationist John B. Waldo
.
at an elevation of 5414 feet (1,650.2 m) 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.
, and the lake was later discovered by Molalla
Indian Charlie Tufti. According to pioneer resident Frank S. Warner it was then named Pengra Lake after Byron J. Pengra, a pioneer railroad champion. 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. Waldo was the son of Daniel Waldo for whom the Waldo Hills are named.
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. Between those years, in 1984 37,000 acres to the north, west, and south were designated as wilderness area by the federal government. 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.
.
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 feet (152.4 m) tunnel was able to lower the lake level by 25 feet (7.6 m). However, the company was never able to prosper and the head gates on the SW shore were sealed in 1960.
. Like Crater Lake, Waldo Lake is ultraoligotrophic (having extremely clear water with very little organic material). The lake was restocked with trout every other year, until 1990 when efforts to preserve the water clarity halted the practice. The lake has a 10 miles per hour (16.1 km/h) speed limit for boats, but in 2010 gasoline motors were banned while electric motors are still allowed.
There are 205 designated campsites
total among the campgrounds and an additional 50 primitive tent
sites around the lake.
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 Forest
s.
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 Cascade Mountains 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 is the second largest natural non-alkali lake in Oregon with more than 10 square miles (26 km²) of water and a maximum depth of 420 feet (128 m). The lake is named after Oregon politician, judge, and conservationist John B. Waldo
John B. Waldo
John Breckenridge Waldo was an American politician and jurist from the state of Oregon. A native of Oregon, he grew up near Salem as part of a prominent pioneer political family that included father Daniel and brother William...
.
Location
The lake is located in Lane CountyLane County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siuslaw National Forest *Umpqua National Forest *Willamette National Forest -Government:...
at an elevation of 5414 feet (1,650.2 m) above sea level. Access is via Forest Service
United 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...
Road 5897 from Oregon Route 58 approximately 18 miles (29 km) east of Oakridge
Oakridge, Oregon
Oakridge is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. The population was estimated at 3,205 in 2010. It is located east of Westfir on Oregon Route 58, about east of Eugene, and southeast of Portland...
. The forest road travels 12 miles (19 km) to the lake.
History
The area was first inhabited by Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, and the lake was later discovered by Molalla
Molala
The Molala were a people of the Plateau culture area in central Oregon, United States. Some consider them extinct, though they are one of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, with 141 of the 882 members in the 1950s claiming Molala descent.-Language:The Molalla language...
Indian Charlie Tufti. According to pioneer resident Frank S. Warner it was then named Pengra Lake after Byron J. Pengra, a pioneer railroad champion. Later the lake was named in honor of Judge John B. Waldo from the Oregon Supreme Court
Oregon Supreme Court
The Oregon Supreme Court is the highest state court in the U.S. state of Oregon. The only court that may reverse or modify a decision of the Oregon Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the United States. The OSC holds court at the Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon, near the capitol...
who helped push for preservation in the Cascades which began with the Cascade Forest Reserve established by President Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
in 1893. Waldo was the son of Daniel Waldo for whom the Waldo Hills are named.
The area was also used by sheep farmers for graizing prior to the establishment of recreation facilities by the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
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. Between those years, in 1984 37,000 acres to the north, west, and south were designated as wilderness area by the federal government. 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.
Reservoir plans
Starting in 1905 plans were begun to use the lake as a reservoir for irrigation in the Willamette ValleyWillamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
.
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 feet (152.4 m) tunnel was able to lower the lake level by 25 feet (7.6 m). 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 (25.4 km²). It has an average depth of 128 feet (39 m) with a maximum depth of 420 feet (128 m). This makes Waldo the second deepest lake in the state after Crater LakeCrater 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...
. Like Crater Lake, Waldo Lake is ultraoligotrophic (having extremely clear water with very little organic material). The lake was restocked with trout every other year, until 1990 when efforts to preserve the water clarity halted the practice. The lake has a 10 miles per hour (16.1 km/h) speed limit for boats, but in 2010 gasoline motors were banned while electric motors are still allowed.
Recreation
- Fishing
- Boating
- Hiking
- Campgrounds:
- North Waldo
- Shadow Bay
- Gold Lake
- Taylor Burn
- Islet
There are 205 designated campsites
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
total among the campgrounds and an additional 50 primitive tent
Tent
A tent is a shelter consisting of sheets of fabric or other material draped over or attached to a frame of poles or attached to a supporting rope. While smaller tents may be free-standing or attached to the ground, large tents are usually anchored using guy ropes tied to stakes or tent pegs...
sites around the lake.
Surrounding area
Besides the lake, the area includes Waldo Lake Wilderness Area. Additionally, the Pacific Crest TrailPacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance mountain hiking and equestrian trail on the Western Seaboard of the United States. The southern terminus is at the California border with Mexico...
passes through the area. The area is also the headwaters
Source (river or stream)
The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the place from which the water in the river or stream originates.-Definition:There is no universally agreed upon definition for determining a stream's source...
of the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River
Willamette River
The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States...
. There are numerous alpine lakes and small mountain peaks around Waldo Lake.
Waldo Lake and the surrounding area is part of both the Willamette
Willamette National Forest
The Willamette National Forest is a National Forest located in the central portion of the Cascade Range of US state of Oregon.It comprises 1,675,407 acres making it one of the largest national forests. Over 380,000 acres are designated wilderness which include seven major mountain peaks...
and Deschutes National Forest
Deschutes National Forest
The Deschutes National Forest is a United States National Forest located in parts of Deschutes, Klamath, Lake, and Jefferson counties in central Oregon. It comprises 1.8 million acres along the east side of the Cascade mountains. In 1908, the Deschutes National Forest was established from parts...
s.