Foster Reservoir | Foster Lake Recreation Areas

Located between the western slope of the Cascade Range and the folding hills of the Willamette Valley near Sweet Home, Foster Reservoir is one of the 13 reservoirs of the Willamette Valley that was built by the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers between 1961 and 1968.  Construction of Foster Dam was done on the South Fork of the Santiam River consecutively with Green Peter Dam on the Middle Fork of  the Santiam River. Foster Reservoir confines water from the Middle Fork through Green Peter Reservoir and South Fork.

Both reservoirs and dams are operated together for hydroelectric power generation, water retention, flood damage prevention, and irrigation. Foster Dam is a rock-fill construction of 126 feet high and 4,565 feet wide, with a storage size of 61,000 acre-feet. When full, Foster Reservoir covers about 494 ha (1,220 acres) and Green Peter – 1,505 ha (3,720 acres). The length of Green Peter and Foster Lakes are 1,500 ft (457 m) and 4,565 ft (1,391 m) accordingly. The reservoirs provide habitat for rare species such as the northern spotted owl, western pond turtle, steelhead, cutthroat trout, and Chinook salmon.

The proximity of Foster Reservoir to Interstate 5 makes this destination a popular recreation site drawing high traffic in the summer months. A wide range of water  activities such as boating, paddling, water-skiing, swimming, and  fishing are available. The reservoir is well known for a rainbow trout, which is stocked by South Santiam Fish Hatchery annually. The lake is a great site for camping and picnicking.

The Quartzville Recreation Corridor and Back Country Byway starts from the Foster Reservoir and runs approximately 50 miles northeast along Green Peter Reservoir and the Quartzville National Wild and Scenic River, connecting U.S. Highway 20 Oregon Highway 22.

Andrew Wiley Creek Park (Sweet Home City Park)

Located at the base of Foster Dam on the bank of the South Santiam River, Andrew Wiley Creek is a day-use park. The ten acres park provides great opportunities for water enthusiasts, anglers, hikers, and nature lovers. There are picnic areas with picnic tables and barbecues, riverside trails, and a boat ramp.

Access allowed: Year-round
Day- use fees: None
Address: 1936 54th Ave, Sweet Home, OR 97386
Phone: 800-810-1000

Edgewater County Park & Marina (Linn County Park)

Edgewater County Park & Marina is located on the Southwest shore of Foster Reservoir on Highway 20. The park is a full-service facility with water, electricity, sewer, satellite TV connections, WiFi, and a store. Open year round. The park offers a few tent camping, 49 full hookup RV campsites, and 40 boat slips.

Access allowed: Year-round
Day- use fees: None
Address: 1400 60th Ave Sweet Home, OR 97386
Phone: 541-967-3917
linnparks.com

Foster Lake RV Resort

Located on the south shore of Foster Lake on Highway 20, Foster Lake RV Resort offers full and partial RV sites, cabins, studio, tent sites, a fitness room, heated pool, a play area for the kids, cable TV, WiFi, boat and RV storage.

Access allowed: Year-round
Address: 6191 US-20, Foster, OR 97345
Phone: 541-367-5629
fosterlakervresort.com

Country Star RV Park

Located on Highway 20 across the road from Foster Lake, Country Star RV Park offers 25 full hooks up RV sites, a laundry room.

Access allowed: Year-round
Address: 6281 Hwy 20, Sweet Home, OR 97386
Phone: 541-401-3293
fosterlakebandb.com

Shea Point

Located off Highway 20, Shea Point is a recreational day-use area with a viewpoint, interpretive displays, and a paved riverside trail.

Phone: 541-818-0431

Open: Year-round
Managed: Linn County & Sweet Home
Location: Foster and Green Peter Lakes Recreation Areas

Services: RV and tent campgrounds, picnic areas, playgrounds, drinking water, boat ramps and moorage, restrooms
Activities: Camping, hiking, bicycling, fishing, swimming, boating, and picnicking
Accommodations: Campgrounds, RV sites, and cabins

Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes in some places
Popularity: High

Elevation: 641 feet (195 m)

Foster Reservoir is located:

• 6 miles east of Sweet Home
• 50 miles northeast of Eugene
• 57 miles southeast of Salem
• 103miles southeast of Portland.

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