Antelope Reservoir, body of water
Antelope Reservoir is a large water storage area in southeastern Oregon, located about ten miles from the Idaho border near the small town of Jordan Valley. Water flows in through the Antelope Feeder Canal from Jordan Creek and supplies irrigation to about twelve thousand acres of farmland downstream.
The reservoir was constructed in 1913 and 1914 when a dam was built on Jack Creek to store water. The dam was later raised from its original 42 feet to 80 feet to hold greater amounts of water for irrigation purposes.
The reservoir is named after the Antelope Feeder Canal that brings water from Jordan Creek to fill it. It serves the local community as a gathering place for relaxation and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
The site is accessible via a well-marked gravel road branching from US Highway 95 that is drivable by most vehicles. Visitors should know there is no drinking water supply and cell service is unreliable, so bringing supplies and planning for self-sufficiency is important.
The water contains elevated mercury levels from historical mining activities in the region, particularly from gold and silver processing in nearby Silver City, Idaho. This makes consuming fish from the water inadvisable, though the reservoir remains popular with anglers nonetheless.
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