Fourmile Lake (Oregon)
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Fourmile Lake
| image = Formile lake, Klamath Co, Oregon.jpg
| caption = Fourmile Lake, Southwest shore
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Klamath County, Oregon
| coords = {{coord|42|27|57|N|122|15|14|W|region:US-OR_type:waterbody_source:gnis|display=inline,title}}
| type = Reservoir
| inflow = Fourmile Creek
| outflow = Fourmile Creek
| catchment = {{convert|105|sqmi|km2}}
| basin_countries = United States
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|740|acre|m2}}
| depth =
| max-depth = {{convert|170|ft|m}}
| volume = {{convert|15600|acre.ft|m3}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|5748|ft|m}}
{{cite gnis
|id=1161371
|name=Fourmile Lake
|entrydate=November 28, 1980
|accessdate=November 28, 2009}}
| islands =
| cities =
| pushpin_map = Oregon#USA
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Fourmile Lake in Oregon, USA.
| pushpin_map_caption =
| website =
| reference =
}}
Fourmile Lake (or Four Mile Lake) is a reservoir located {{convert|5748|ft|m}} above sea level in Klamath County, Oregon, United States. It is {{convert|45|mi|km}} northeast of Medford.
{{cite web
|url = http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Rogue%20River%20Basin%20Project
|publisher = United States Bureau of Reclamation
|title = Rogue River Basin Project
|accessdate = November 28, 2009
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614223357/http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Rogue%20River%20Basin%20Project
|archivedate = June 14, 2011
}}
The lake was created when the {{convert|25|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} Fourmile Lake Dam was constructed, impounding Fourmile Creek, in the Klamath River watershed. It is located just to the east of Mount McLoughlin, which stands {{convert|9495|ft|m}} above sea level. The lake is bordered by Sky Lakes Wilderness, and is in the Winema National Forest.
History
In 1898, the Fish Lake Water Company was established to help irrigate the Rogue Valley. The company proposed create Fourmile Lake and enlarge nearby Fish Lake for added water storage. The Fourmile Lake Dam was constructed in 1906, while Fish Lake was completed in 1908. The two lakes were connected in 1915 by the Cascade Canal, taking water from Fourmile Lake over the Cascade Divide to Fish Lake, supplementing Little Butte Creek.
{{cite web
|publisher = United States Bureau of Land Management
|url = http://www.usbr.gov/projects/ImageServer?imgName=Doc_1245096680248.pdf
|title = The Rogue River Basin Project Talent Division
|accessdate = November 28, 2009
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614223340/http://www.usbr.gov/projects/ImageServer?imgName=Doc_1245096680248.pdf
|archivedate = June 14, 2011
}}
In 1955, the dam was repaired, and a new spillway was added.
Statistics
Fourmile Lake has an average surface area of {{convert|740|acre|m2}},
{{cite book
|title=Complete Angler's Guide to Oregon
|first=John
|last=Shewey
|publisher=Wilderness Adventures Press
|year=2007
|pages=76–77
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A_9N9aJyA90C&pg=PA76
{{cite book
|title=Hiking Oregon's southern Cascades and Siskiyous
|first=Art
|last=Bernstein
|publisher=Globe Pequot
|year=2001
|page=24
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3dPI-DAO84C&pg=PA24
|isbn=978-1-56044-898-3}}
an average volume of {{convert|15600|acre.ft|m3}}, and a {{convert|105|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} drainage basin.
{{cite web
|url=http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/pnrogwatdata.html
|title=Rogue River Basin Project Water Data
|publisher=United States Bureau of Reclamation
|accessdate=November 28, 2009
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813023108/http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/pnrogwatdata.html
|archivedate=August 13, 2007 }}
It has a maximum depth of {{convert|170|ft|m}}. Fourmile Lake Dam stands {{convert|25|ft|m}} tall and {{convert|660|ft|m}} long.
Fauna
Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Brook Trout, and Lake trout are common in the lake. The Bushy-tailed Woodrat and Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, species of least concern, can be found around the lake.
{{cite book
|title=Land mammals of Oregon
|first1=B. J.
|last1=Verts
|first2=Leslie
|last2=Carraway
|publisher=University of California Press
|year=1998
|edition=2nd
|pages=534, 563
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8KI1AmzIDnwC&pg=RA1-PA534
|isbn=978-0-520-21199-5}}
Recreation
The Pacific Crest Trail passes by about {{convert|2|mi|km}} from Fourmile Lake.
{{cite book
|title=Moon Oregon Camping: The Complete Guide to Tent and RV Camping
|first=Tom
|last=Stienstra
|publisher=Avalon Travel Publishing
|year=2006
|edition=2nd
|page=372
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j4M9X7c2fSYC&pg=PA372
{{cite book
|title=Day Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon-Washington
|first=Patricia
|last=Semb
|publisher=Wilderness Press
|year=2000
|page=36
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bFRCvN87ffYC&pg=PA36
|isbn=978-0-89997-276-3}}
The lake is included in the Winema National Forest.
{{cite book
|title=The Best in Tent Camping: Oregon
|first=Jeanne
|last=Pyle
|publisher=Menasha Ridge Press
|year=2004
|pages=104–105
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DSpCGnN0u0IC&pg=PA104
|isbn=978-0-89732-570-7}}
The Sky Lakes Wilderness borders the lake, and a trail leads into it. One campground is located near the lake.{{cite book
|title=Camping Oregon
|first=George
|last=Ostertag
|publisher=Globe Pequot
|year=2005
|edition=2nd
|page=238
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Orq0B98ngNIC&pg=PA238
|isbn=978-0-7627-3643-0
}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}