Overview
Lookout Point Dam is an earthfill embankment dam on the Middle Fork of the Willamette River in Lane County, Oregon, United States. The dam creates Lookout Point Reservoir, which serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, flood control, water supply, and recreation.
Location and Physical Characteristics
- Geographic setting: The dam is situated approximately 25 kilometres (≈ 15 mi) east of Eugene, Oregon, within the Willamette River watershed.
- Dam type: Earthfill (rock‑fill) embankment.
- Height and length: The structure stands roughly 38 metres (≈ 125 ft) high and extends about 650 metres (≈ 2,130 ft) across the river valley.
- Reservoir capacity: Lookout Point Reservoir holds on the order of 70,000 acre‑feet (≈ 86 million m³) of water at full supply level.
- Surface area: The reservoir covers roughly 1,200 hectares (≈ 3,000 acres) when at maximum capacity.
History and Construction
Construction of Lookout Point Dam began in the late 1940s as part of a regional effort to develop water resources and generate electricity for the growing population of the Pacific Northwest. The dam was completed and began operation in the early 1950s. The project was undertaken by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the Portland General Electric Company (PGE), which has operated the dam and its associated powerplant since its inception.
Hydroelectric Power Generation
The dam’s hydroelectric facility contains two turbines that together produce on the order of 50–60 megawatts of electricity, providing renewable energy to the regional grid. The power plant is operated by Portland General Electric, which integrates the generation from Lookout Point Dam into its broader portfolio of river‑based hydroelectric projects on the Willamette River system.
Operational Functions
- Flood control: By regulating releases from the reservoir, the dam helps mitigate downstream flood risks during periods of high runoff.
- Water supply: The stored water is a source of municipal and industrial water for communities in the Eugene‑Springfield area.
- Recreation: Lookout Point Reservoir supports a variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and camping, contributing to the local tourism economy.
Environmental Considerations
The dam’s presence has altered natural river flows and fish habitats in the Middle Fork Willamette River. Mitigation measures, such as fish ladders and flow‑management protocols, have been implemented to address impacts on salmonid populations. Ongoing monitoring programs assess water quality, sedimentation, and ecosystem health in the reservoir and downstream waterway.
Ownership and Management
Portland General Electric holds the operational license for the hydroelectric facilities at Lookout Point Dam and is responsible for dam safety, maintenance, and regulatory compliance under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
See also
- Willamette River dams
- Portland General Electric
- List of reservoirs in Oregon
References
(Information compiled from publicly available government and utility reports; specific figure ranges reflect data reported in official sources.)
