Highest elevation lakes & reservoirs in Oregon by altitude
While lake levels can flucuate frequently based on several circumstances, the altitude/elevation of a lake is based on its normal water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level. For a reservoir, this water level is also known as “full pond” or “full pool”.Low lake levels can occur due to deliberate seasonal draw downs for irrigation or impending snow melt, reduced water inflows, drought and evaporation, residential or commercial water demands, and hydropower generation. Some lakes’ minimum and maximum elevations are virtually the same. Lakes that generate hydropower may vary by several feet – according to power demand. Lakes whose primary purpose is to prevent flooding can seasonally vary by 100 feet or more. When some lakes reach their minimum elevation, their boat ramps may not be long enough to permit boat access – and boats docked on shallow parts of the lake may end up on dry ground. In those cases, kayakers and shore-based anglers may be among the few happy recreational users of the lake.
A lake’s highest water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level, that can occur during flooding. A lake’s highest possible maximum elevation is usually the top of the lake’s dam or spillway. At lakes that include residential development, government regulations usually forbid the construction of homes below a lake’s maximum elevation.
You can find many of the world’s highest-elevated lakes on LakeLubbers. Lakes with the lowest elevations (known by LakeLubbers) are shown on the final page of that list. Note: For some lakes, "Altitude/Elevation" data is unknown, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 29 articles we have published for Oregon lakes.
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Below are lakes within USA > US West Region > Oregon > Compared by highest altitude/elevation in feet. This list does not represent all lakes in Oregon, only the 29 Oregon lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Elevation in feet |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Crater Lake, OR (Oregon, Southern Oregon, US West Region, USA) |
6,179 ft | Crater Lake is on the crest of the Cascade Range in southern Oregon, about 100 miles from the ocean, and is the centerpiece of Crater Lake National Pa… |
| Wickiup Reservoir, OR (Central Oregon, Oregon, US West Region, USA) |
4,347 ft | Also known as Wickiup Lake Wickiup Reservoir is an 11,000 acre angler’s paradise. Camping areas are plentiful, and boat launching ramps are located at most. The reservoir gets i… |
| Upper Klamath Lake, OR (Oregon, Southern Oregon, US West Region, USA) |
4,146 ft | Stretching for an impressive 30 miles, Upper Klamath Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the State of Oregon. Nestled in the Klamath Basin, it is s… |
| Prineville Reservoir, OR (Central Oregon, Oregon, US West Region, USA) |
3,257 ft | The 3,030-acre Prineville Reservoir is one of Central Oregon’s prolific fishing and outdoor recreation water bodies. The lake’s well-developed public… |
| Applegate Lake, OR (Oregon, Southern Oregon, US West Region, USA) |
1,987 ft | Also known as Applegate Reservoir Reflecting the peaks of the Siskiyou Mountains, Applegate Lake is surrounded by Rogue River National Forest in southwestern Oregon’s Jackson County. L… |
| Detroit Lake, OR (Oregon, US West Region, USA, Willamette Valley Region, OR) |
1,569 ft | Conveniently located just 46 miles south of Salem in Oregon’s Willamette Valley tourism region lies Detroit Lake, a 3,580-acre artificial freshwater r… |
| Fern Ridge Lake, OR (Oregon, US West Region, USA, Willamette Valley Region, OR) |
375 ft | Also known as Fern Ridge Reservoir Fern Ridge Lake is the largest of thirteen flood control reservoirs in Oregon’s Williamette Valley. With 9000 acres of water, Fern Ridge Lake is a pre… |
