Applegate Lake, reservoir in Jackson County, Oregon, United States

Applegate Lake is a 988-acre reservoir in the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest, about 27 miles southwest of Medford. It was created by the 242-foot-high, 1,300-foot-long Applegate Dam, finished in 1980, and stretches 4.6 miles upstream. The lake is stocked yearly with about 120,000 rainbow trout and 50,000 young Chinook salmon.

Congress authorized the Applegate Dam in 1962 as a flood-control project; the Corps of Engineers built it between 1976 and 1980 for $96 million. The 242-foot-high, 1,300-foot-long dam impounds the Applegate River, and the rising water submerged the old community of Copper, whose former highway reappears when levels drop. The lake and dam are named for Lindsay Applegate, who led settlers through the Rogue River Valley in 1848.

The lake and dam carry the name of Lindsay Applegate, who in 1848 led a party of settlers through the Rogue River Valley toward the California mines. When the reservoir is drawn down, the old highway that ended at the drowned community of Copper reappears at the upstream end and serves as the lower part of a boat ramp.

The lake is easily accessible with paved roads and parking areas, with signs directing you to swimming and fishing spots. Note that water levels fluctuate throughout the year and some areas like Seattle Bar may close at the end of summer.

When the reservoir is drawn down, the old highway that once ended at Copper reappears at the upstream south end and serves as the lower part of a boat ramp. The town of Copper, with its post office and a few buildings, was submerged as the lake filled.