Big Cliff Dam, Gravity dam in Marion County and Linn County, Oregon.
Big Cliff Dam is a concrete structure that spans across the North Santiam River and rises to a significant height above the water surface. The structure creates a large reservoir and manages water flow while housing power generation equipment within its concrete walls.
The dam was completed in 1953 as part of a major water management project for the Willamette Valley. Its construction represented a significant infrastructure development for the region's power and water needs.
The dam created a lake that serves as a recreation destination for both locals and visitors, while supporting irrigation for farming in the area. The water body has become part of daily life for surrounding communities and contributes to the region's economic foundation.
The site is easily accessible with good viewpoints where visitors can take in views of the structure and reservoir. The best time to visit is during dry months when walking paths and viewing areas are most easily navigable.
The structure uses specialized techniques to manage water temperature in ways that protect native fish species and improve their survival conditions. This aspect of water management often goes unnoticed, even though it has major ecological effects on the river ecosystem.
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