Fern Ridge Lake

State and county recreation areas supplement Corps facilities at this large lake in the Willamette Valley. Fern Ridge Lake, a popular recreation area for sailing, power boating and water skiing, is just 12 miles from downtown Eugene. Six park sites and several remote access points around the lake offer a variety of day use recreation opportunities such as picnicking, swimming, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. A private concession on the peninsula at the south end of the lake has overnight camping sites. The Fern Ridge Dam was completed in 1941 and provides needed flood control. The area includes extensive wetlands and provides unique habitat for a variety of wildlife and wintering waterfowl populations. Location: Fern Ridge Lake is just 12 miles from downtown Eugene. From Eugene, 12 miles west on Oregon Hwy 126. Climate: The climate in Oregon varies greatly by region. The coastal region and the regions west of the Cascade Range are generally temperate and wet. Temperatures in the western portion of the state rarely rise above 85 degrees F during the warmest months and rarely dip below freezing during the winter. Recreation: Fern Ridge Reservoir offers a variety of day use recreation opportunities such as picnicking, swimming, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. A private concession on the peninsula at the south end of the lake has overnight camping sites. There is one Corps operated park, Kirk Park, which is a day use area only and four parks operated by Lane County, three of which are day use and one campground. Firn Ridge is also an excellent location for birding.