Fern Ridge is a wide, shallow reservoir just west of Eugene and hosts all sorts of water activities during the summer. Since this body of water is also used for flood control as part of the Long Tom Watershed, it is drained by the US Army Corp of Engineers in the colder months to absorb seasonal rain. During these months, the low water levels allow for a unique trek across a mostly empty reservoir.
Now, be careful! You have time these treks. They’ll be easiest following a dry spell (a challenge during any Oregon winter). If you trek too soon after a rain, you’ll soon find yourself sliding or sinking into heavy, caked mud.
Long before the dams were built in the mid-1900s to create Fern Ridge Reservoir, this area was a large swampy flat and the seasonal home to natives with access to an array of hunting and birding opportunities. To this day, an extraordinary number of animal species call this area home with more than 250 species of birds visiting the neighboring wildlife areas each year.
On this particular winter day, we had sun on our side and we took quite a trek across the exposed mud flat. Yeti – always keeping it chill and cozy;)
To top it off, this evening we caught a sunset that just seemed to go on forever!
All in all, an amazing seasonal adventure . . . if you time it right;)
Tabitha Crystal Eck 