John C. Boyle Reservoir

John C. Boyle Reservoir is an artificial impoundment behind John C. Boyle Dam on the Klamath River in the U.S. state of Oregon. The lake is 16 miles (26 km) west-southwest of Klamath Falls along Oregon Route 66.[1]

John C. Boyle Reservoir
Boyle Reservoir
LocationKlamath County, Oregon
Coordinates42°08′24″N 122°02′01″W
TypeReservoir, eutrophic
Primary inflowsKlamath River
Primary outflowsKlamath River
Catchment area4,080 square miles (10,600 km2)
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area381 acres (154 ha)
Average depth11 feet (3.4 m)
Max. depth45 feet (14 m)
Water volume4,200 acre feet (5,200,000 m3)
Residence time< 1 week
Shore length17.6 miles (12.2 km)
Surface elevation3,796 feet (1,157 m)
SettlementsKeno, Klamath Falls
References[1][2][3]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The dam is at about river mile (RM) 225 or river kilometer (RK) 362, about 10 miles (16 km) by river downstream of the community of Keno.[4] Spencer Bridge carries the highway over the lake at about its midpoint.[4]

Water from the reservoir is diverted through a sluice to the Boyle Powerhouse, about 5 miles (8 km) downstream of the dam.[5] Fluctuations of up to 3 feet (0.9 m) daily in the reservoir level occur as water is added for storage or diverted for power generation.[6]

History

The California–Oregon Power Company (COPCO), which later merged with Pacific Power, a future subsidiary of PacifiCorp, built the dam in the mid-1950s as part of the multi-dam Klamath River Hydroelectric Project.[7] Meant primarily to generate hydroelectricity, the reservoir can hold up to 4,200 acre feet (5,200,000 m3) of water.[1] Originally called Big Bend Reservoir, it was renamed in 1962 for John C. Boyle, COPCO's vice president, general manager, and chief engineer.[7]

The Boyle dam is one of four Klamath River dams that may be removed as early as 2020 if the United States Congress eventually agrees.[8] The other three, all owned by PacifiCorp and all in California, are Iron Gate, Copco 2, and Copco 1.[9] A tentative agreement reached in 2009 by major stakeholders, including PacifiCorp, would remove the dams to restore salmon runs blocked below Iron Gate for about a century.[9]

It is named after John C. Boyle (1899-1979), who was vice president, general manager, and long-time chief engineer of the California Oregon Power Company (COPCO), a privately held utility that served southern Oregon and portions of northern California.[10]

Recreation

The reservoir supports largemouth bass ranging from 12 to 16 inches (30 to 41 cm), which can be fished for by boat or from the bank.[6] Other fish found in the lake include black crappie, white crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and pumpkinseed sunfish.[6]

Topsy Recreation Site, maintained by the Bureau of Land Management, has a campground, a boat launch, a dock, and a fishing pier at J. C. Boyle Reservoir. Swimming, picnicking, and bird-watching are among recreational activities in addition to camping and fishing.[11][12]

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See also
  • List of lakes in Oregon

References
  1. Johnson, Daniel M.; Petersen, Richard R.; Lycan, D. Richard; Sweet, James W.; Neuhaus, Mark E., and Schaedel, Andrew L. (1985). Atlas of Oregon Lakes. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. p. 214. ISBN 0-87071-343-4.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "Atlas of Oregon Lakes: John C. Boyle Reservoir (Klamath County)". Portland State University. 1985–2012. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  3. "John C. Boyle Reservoir". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. May 22, 1986. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  4. United States Geological Survey (USGS). "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map". TopoQuest. Retrieved January 7, 2013. The relevant quadrangle is Spencer Creek.
  5. Sheehan, Madelynne Diness (2005). Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. pp. 274–76. ISBN 0-916473-15-5.
  6. Sheehan, p. 259
  7. Kramer, George. "John C. Boyle (1887–1979)". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Portland State University. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  8. Burns, Ryan (December 27, 2012). "Top 10: Klamath Dam Removal Plan Stalls Out". The Journal. Eureka, California: The North Coast Journal Weekly of Politics, People & Art. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  9. Fimrite, Peter (September 30, 2009). "Deal to Raze 4 Klamath Dams". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  10. https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/boyle_john_1887_1979/#.XyWiqyhKi1s
  11. "Topsy Recreation Site". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  12. "Topsy Campground, Oregon". Public Lands Information Center. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
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