The Mckenzie River winds past logs, over moss covered boulders, and cascades down small waterfalls.

 

 

 Map of the McKenzie Watershed

A map of the Mckenzie watershed displays landmarks located along the river.

Reflections of trees, clouds, and blue skies, bounce off the surface of Clear Lake.

CLEAR LAKE

Roughly 3,000 years ago a forest of evergreens existed where Clear Lake is now. In fact, remnants of the forest still exist. Petrified trees rise from the lake’s floor, preserved by the frigid 35℉ water. Clear Lake is a vital piece of the McKenzie River’s history, frozen in time. The lake was formed when lava cascaded down from Sand Mountain, sculpting a natural dam. Snow melt filters through lava flow, and fills the crisp blue lake we see today. The story of Clear Lake emphasizes water’s persistence even through natural disturbances. Reflections on the water can be vivid enough to resemble optical illusions by creating a mirror image of the horizon line. This site is popular for diving, kayaking and boating, as these activities allow people to explore the underwater forest.

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A rainbow glistens in the mist at the base of Koosah Falls.

SAHALIE AND KOOSAH FALLS

Over the last 6,000 years, six major lava flows in the high Cascades have transformed the landscape where the McKenzie River flows. Over seven noteworthy waterfalls splash over the frozen basalt. Sahalie and Koosah Falls are two of the most breathtaking due to their impressive height and power. In Chinook Jargon, a trade language used by Natives of the Northwest, Sahalie was used to describe “upper,” “top,” “sky,” and “Heaven.” Koosah, Sahalie’s little sister, meant “Shining.” Luckily, getting to these falls is easy and convenient. Impressive roars reverberate through your chest as you breathe, loud but silent. A photo does not do this 100-foot fall justice; so make sure to pause a minute to admire it. Continue down the trail for a easy 2.6-mile loop that takes you through a lush emerald forest showcasing views of the ebb and flow of the clear, blue waters. Before you know it, Koosah can be seen through the trees. I recommend grabbing a seat at one of wood benches to rest and listen before carrying on to Carmen Reservoir.

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 Eerie light and bright blue water at Trailbridge Reservoir.

CARMEN SMITH HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

Perhaps not initially perceived as a destination that would attract sightseers, Carmen Smith leaves the viewer in awe. Icy blue water spews out, churned and chewed up from the turbines. Carmen Smith Hydroelectric Project provokes thought about human ingenuity. The lights we turn on in our homes today are probably powered by this water. Self reflection comes to mind as you understand this intricate manipulation of such a “pristine” river. While not beautiful in a traditional sense of tranquility and calmness, we invite you to explore Carmen Smith Hydroelectric project. Visit the Carmen Smith and discover the awesome power of water.

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                  Trees surrounding Blue Pool are reflected upon the surface.

BLUE POOL

Tucked away into the foothills of the upper McKenzie, Blue Pool is, well- blue.  In fact, calling it blue is almost an understatement.  The water is a such a deep, royal, sapphire that it is almost unnerving, seeming too surreal to even exist.  To top it off, the water is as clear as glass.  Reflections bounce off of the surface in every direction, acting as a mirror in the midst of the surrounding forest. Water seeps up through underlying basalt, which acts as a natural filter. Being spring-fed, the water is also freezing cold.  Bands of hikers travel up to Blue Pool in the summer, jump into the glistening waters and find this out the hard way, with the shock of the cold water taking their very breath away. Tamolitch Falls, (the optimal jumping platform) cascades down into the pool during the wetter parts of the year.  Most of the time, however, the falls are dry and the surface is still.  It’s a good place to go to think, to marvel, and to simply be.

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               Wildflowers frame a view of the Mckenzie at Belknap, with steam from the hot mineral water rising off of the surface.

BELKNAP HOT SPRINGS

Want another spot on McKenzie’s beautiful banks to rest your barking dogs? Belknap Hot Springs offers camping, lodging, a spa and pool, luscious gardens and two mineral hot springs (almost 200 degrees Fahrenheit) which are guaranteed to warm your heart. With your stay, enjoy a complimentary breakfast and immerse yourself in historical photos of McKenzie’s deep stories. Rollin Simeon Belknap founded the resort in 1854, but one may wander even further into the past. For thousands of years, humans have been drawn to the natural benefits of hot springs, with artifacts to prove so. However, leave no trace because Belknap is a space we want our future generations to enjoy too.

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A long exposure shot of Proxy Falls as it cascades down into a jumble of lava rocks and logs.

PROXY FALLS

Along the trail to Proxy Falls, the pitted smoky surfaces of the ancient lava flow contrasts sharply with the glistening leaves of vine maples scattered here and there. The trail breaks to the side and a dense canopy of douglas fir shelters an undergrowth where rugged salal shrubs melt into a carpet of lush ferns. You can hear the water now, somehow trickling and roaring at the same time.  Once you traverse the creek, you can see why it makes this sound. Proxy Falls is not a single waterfall, but a cascading ballet of waterfalls. They work their way down stone steps thick with moss, both small and large streams of water layered over each other. The water propels off of the old growth logs that lay at the base of the two falls, partners in this organic dance. As you head out on the other side of the looped trail, you take one look back. From a distance, the view of the streams merged together offers a new image: twin falls, each forming their own delicate latticework.

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Salmon monitoring equipment contrasts with the deep blue of Cougar Reservoir.

COUGAR RESERVOIR

Standing almost 50 stories high, the Cougar Dam serves as a means for flood control and water retention. The dam provides a fish ladder for salmon making their way upstream, and its wall acts as a lookout point to the rippling silhouettes of distant rolling hills. Bright, teal waters glisten in contrast to the man-made structures. Cougar Dam highlights the juxtaposition between the vastness of nature and humankind’s ability to alter it. An eerie yet wondrous feeling overtakes viewers as they marvel at the sheer magnitude of this structure.

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                Bright blue filtration tanks at Hayden Bridge Filtration Plant.

HAYDEN BRIDGE FILTRATION PLANT

Located a few miles outside of Eugene, the Hayden Bridge Water Treatment Plant is responsible for the clean, clear, and drinkable water that flowed from your faucet this morning. However, our water has to go through a few steps to get from the river to the tap. The deep blue water is pumped from the McKenzie River into massive pipes and tubes at the treatment plant where it is filtered, cleaned and sanitized. The water then moves through gallons of icy blue pools before reaching nearly 200,000 consumers.

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