Lake Billy Chinook (Jefferson)

Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County, Oregon

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Lake Billy Chinook is a 4,000-acre reservoir in Jefferson County, central Oregon, created by the completion of Round Butte Dam in 1964 at the unique confluence of three rivers: the Crooked River, Deschutes River, and Metolius River near the towns of Culver and Madras. Named in honor of Billy Chinook, a Native American guide of the Wasco tribe who accompanied explorers John C. Frémont and Kit Carson during their 1843 and 1844 expeditions, the lake lies in a spectacular canyon carved over millions of years by the three rivers into the Deschutes Formation, which began forming approximately 11 million years ago through alternating layers of basaltic lava, volcanic debris, and stream sediments from the Cascade Range. The towering canyon walls reveal dramatic geological history, with rimrock basalt formations visible atop cliffs that rise 800 to 900 feet from the water's surface, creating a stunning natural amphitheater. Owned and operated jointly by Portland General Electric and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the dam primarily serves hydroelectric power generation while the reservoir maintains an elevation of 1,945 feet above sea level with an average depth of 102 feet and a maximum depth of 415 feet near the dam, providing 72 miles of pristine shoreline protected from wind by the steep canyon walls.

Lake Billy Chinook is renowned as central Oregon's premier destination for water recreation and fishing, attracting boaters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts from throughout the Pacific Northwest to its crystal-clear blue waters that stretch 28 miles back into the Ouachita Mountain country. The lake supports exceptional fishing for wild kokanee salmon, bull trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, whitefish, and occasional Atlantic salmon and catfish, with the Metolius River arm requiring a special tribal angling permit and having a limited fishing season from March 1 through October 31. The Cove Palisades State Park encompasses the Deschutes and Crooked River arms of the lake, offering 268 developed campsites across two full-service campgrounds (Crooked River Campground with 82 sites featuring water and electric hookups high above the canyon, and Deschutes River Campground with 180 sites including 87 full-hookup RV sites nestled in the canyon), three deluxe log cabins with lake views and private bathrooms located near the marina, three group campsites, and extensive day-use facilities at three separate areas along Upper Deschutes, Lower Deschutes, and Crooked River arms with boat ramps, courtesy docks, sandy beaches, swimming areas, and picnic pavilions. The Cove Palisades Resort and Marina provides full-service amenities including houseboat rentals, boat moorages, watercraft rentals (pontoon boats, ski boats, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, water skis, tubes), a café, store with fuel and ice, and operates seasonally from April through October, while recreational opportunities include the challenging 6-mile round-trip Tam-a-Lau Trail climbing 600 feet to spectacular views of the Cascade Range peaks including Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Mount Jefferson, the quarter-mile Wetlands Nature Trail, 30 miles of flat-water paddling on the Crooked and Deschutes rivers (including the 6-mile Crooked River Water Trail), water skiing, wakeboarding, swimming, wildlife viewing featuring over 200 bird species including bald eagles during the annual Spring Eagle Watch event, and year-round activities including fishing, hiking, and photography in the mild, sunny high desert climate.

Dimensions:

Small: 8"x12"

Medium: 12"x18"

Large: 16"x24"

Extra Large: 20"x30"

XX Large: 24"x36"

Gigantic 30"x45"