Cougar Reservoir, reservoir in Oregon
Cougar Reservoir is a reservoir in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, formed by Cougar Dam on the South Fork McKenzie River. The water is surrounded by dense forest, and several campgrounds sit along its shoreline to serve visitors who come for fishing, boating, and swimming.
Cougar Dam was completed in 1963 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to manage flooding on the South Fork McKenzie River and produce hydroelectric power. The dam flooded the valley behind it, creating the reservoir and turning a stretch of river into one of the most visited spots in the area.
The reservoir sits within Willamette National Forest and draws people who come to fish, kayak, or swim during the warmer months. It works as a shared outdoor space where locals and out-of-town visitors often spend a full day on or near the water.
The reservoir is reached by taking Highway 126 east from Eugene and turning off near Blue River, making it a straightforward drive from the Willamette Valley. Bringing enough water and food is a good idea since services at the campgrounds can be limited, especially outside of summer.
A short trail from the western shore leads to Terwilliger Hot Springs, a set of natural hot pools fed by geothermal water along Rider Creek. The pools are carved into the rock and sit in the middle of the forest, making them a completely different experience from the main reservoir visit.
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