Foster Reservoir, reservoir
Foster Reservoir is a large impoundment created by damming the South Santiam River in Linn County, covering roughly 500 acres when full. Multiple parks and facilities surround it, including Lewis Creek Park on the north shore with a swimming beach and picnic areas, Sunnyside Campground to the east with about 100 campsites, and Edgewater Marina on the southwest side offering boat rentals and RV accommodations.
Foster Reservoir was constructed in the 1960s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through dams built on the South Fork and Middle Fork of the Santiam River. The project was designed to store water, generate electricity, and provide flood control for the surrounding region and agricultural lands.
Boat ramps at Gedney Creek Park and Calkins Park provide easy water access for anglers and boaters throughout the season. Parking and walking paths are available around most shoreline areas, though water levels fluctuate with seasons and may be lower during dry periods.
The reservoir occasionally experiences fish kills when water conditions change suddenly or dissolved oxygen levels drop. These events are monitored and discussed by local authorities and anglers, highlighting ongoing attention to water quality management.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
