Cooper Creek Reservoir, Reservoir in Douglas County, Oregon, United States

Cooper Creek Reservoir is a large body of water nestled in Oregon's landscape, surrounded by dense forests and open spaces. The water stretches smoothly, with grassy shorelines and two main visitor access areas, the West Day Use area on Edgewater Drive and the East Day Use area on Cooper Creek Road.

Cooper Creek Reservoir formed behind an earthen dam across Cooper Creek in the Umpqua River basin, in Douglas County about 2 miles east of Sutherlin and 11 miles north of Roseburg. The impoundment was built to supply part of Sutherlin's drinking water. On February 12, 2001, the Oregon Health Department issued a mercury-related fish advisory after pollution from old mine tailings upstream; municipal water was judged safe.

The reservoir is part of local life, where families and neighbors gather to enjoy nature and spend time outdoors. This habit reflects the simple pleasures of rural Oregon and shows itself especially in summer through picnics and fishing.

Bring comfortable walking shoes and pack water and snacks for the day, since access to shops is limited. The paths around the water are flat and easy to walk, with free parking close to both access areas that have picnic tables and facilities.

The reservoir holds largemouth bass and panfish that grow unusually large, but mercury from old mine tailings upstream led the Oregon Health Department to issue a fish-consumption advisory on February 12, 2001. The water itself was judged safe to drink, and the advisory does not restrict swimming or boating.