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Detroit Lakeand Big Cliff Lake, on the Mt. Jefferson Loop and a part of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail |
The Detroit Lake Project consists of two lakes that store the waters of the North Santiam River and Breitenbush River. Detroit Dam, the principal facility, rises 463 above its foundation in the narrow, steep, rocky slopes of North Santiam Canyon. The dam is a concrete gravity structure with a gated spillway. The powerhouse contains two generator units.
Big Cliff, a re-regulating dam and small reservoir, is located three miles downstream from Detroit Dam. This smaller dam is used to smooth out power generation water releases from Detroit Dam and to control downstream river level fluctuations.
Detroit Lake is a popular recreation area for water skiing, swimming, fishing and Birding. The water level varies according to downstream water and power requirements. During the recreation season (May to September), the lake is kept at the highest possible level for the enjoyment of visitors. There are five public parks along the shoreline, including Detroit Lake State Park.
| Location | Detroit Oregon |
| Phone | 541-367-5124 |
