Foster Reservoir: A Scenic Waterway in the Cascade Foothills

Located between the western slopes of the Cascade Range and the rolling hills of the Willamette Valley near Sweet Home, Foster Reservoir is one of the 13 reservoirs in the Willamette Valley system. It was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1961 and 1968 as part of a coordinated flood-control and water-management project in the Santiam River basin.

Foster Dam was constructed on the South Fork of the Santiam River in conjunction with Green Peter Dam on the Middle Fork of the Santiam River. Together, these two dams regulate water flow through the system, with releases from Green Peter Reservoir feeding downstream into Foster Reservoir.

Both reservoirs and dams are operated together for hydroelectric power generation, flood control, water storage, and irrigation.

Foster Dam is a rock-fill structure approximately 126 feet high and 4,565 feet long, with a storage capacity of about 61,000 acre-feet. When full, Foster Reservoir covers roughly 1,220 acres (494 hectares), while Green Peter Reservoir covers about 3,720 acres (1,505 hectares).

The surrounding forests and riparian areas provide habitat for wildlife such as the northern spotted owl and western pond turtle, while the reservoirs support fish species including steelhead, cutthroat trout, Chinook salmon, and rainbow trout. Rainbow trout are also stocked annually by the South Santiam Fish Hatchery, making the area popular with anglers.

Due to its proximity to Interstate 5, Foster Reservoir is a well-visited recreation destination, especially during the summer months. Visitors enjoy a wide range of activities, including boating, paddling, water skiing, swimming, fishing, camping, and picnicking.

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

Andrew Wiley Creek Park (Sweet Home City Park)

Located at the base of Foster Dam on the banks of the South Santiam River, Andrew Wiley Creek is a day-use park. This 10-acre park offers opportunities for water recreation, fishing, hiking, and nature viewing. Facilities include picnic areas with 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 sits on the southwest shore of Foster Reservoir along Highway 20. The park is a full-service facility with water, electricity, sewer, satellite TV connections, WiFi, and a small store. Open year-round, it offers tent camping sites, 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 Reservoir along Highway 20, Foster Lake RV Resort provides full and partial RV sites, cabins, studio units, and tent sites. Amenities include a fitness room, heated pool, children’s play area, cable TV, WiFi, and 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 along 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

Calkins Boat Ramp (Linn County Park)

Calkins Boat Ramp is located on the southeast corner of Foster Lake.

Access allowed: Mid-May through Mid-September
Day- use fees: None
Address: 44529 Quartzville Rd, Foster, OR 97345
Phone: 541-967-3917
linnparks.com

Gedney Creek Boat Park (Linn County Park)

Located on the north shore of Foster Lake and about 1 mile east of Foster Dam, Gedney Creek Boat Park offers a boat ramp.

Access allowed: May - September
Day- use fees: None
Address: 43795 North River DR., Foster, OR 97345
Phone: 541-967-3917
linnparks.com

Sunnyside Park (Linn County Park)

Sunnyside County Park, located on the northeast shore of Foster Reservoir, is both a campground and day-use area.

This 98-acre park offers a wide range of water-based recreation, including fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, and jet skiing.

Facilities include 130 hookup campsites, 35 non-hookup sites, playgrounds, volleyball courts, reservable picnic shelters, group picnic areas, a boat ramp and moorage, hiking trails, and a fish cleaning station.

River Bend Park (Linn County Park)

River Bend County Park (Linn County Park) is nestled along the upper South Santiam River next to Highway 20. This 90-acre park offers both camping and day-use facilities.

The campground includes 74 hookup sites with water and electricity, 10 non-hookup sites, and 5 cabins. Recreation opportunities include camping, hiking, swimming, and picnicking.

Access allowed: Year-round
Day- use fees: None
Address: 45931 Santiam Highway, Foster, OR 97345
Phone: 541-967-3917
linnparks.com

Whitcomb Creek Park (Linn County Park)

Whitcomb Creek County Park (Linn County Park) is located on the north shore of Green Peter Reservoir. This 328-acre park offers camping, boating, hiking, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and picnicking. Facilities include a group camping area, 39 non-hookup campsites, and a boat ramp.

Whitcomb Creek Park - Green Peter Reservoir

Access allowed: May-September
Day- use fees: None
Address: Green Peter Reservoir, Cascadia, OR
Phone: 541-967-3917
linnparks.com

Open: Year-round
Managed by: Linn County & Sweet Home

Facilities: 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: Apply in some areas

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.

Facts
Body of water: Reservoir
Surface area: 1,220 acres
Shoreline: 11 miles (17.7 km)
Maximum depth: 110 ft (33.5 m)
Transparency: 20.3 ft (6.2 m)

1 Comment

Is there a day-use fee or ramp fee at any of the locations (Edgewater, Caulkins, and Gedney Creek), and if so, ho much is the fee? Do any of them have a yearly fee? I have a kayak and would like to fish the reservoir.

Thanks!

Tim Moore

August 28, 2020