Lemolo Number 2 Forebay (Douglas)
(From Atlas of Oregon Lakes, Johnson et al. 1985) Lemolo Lake is the largest reservoir in the North Umpqua Power Development Project, a project which also includes Toketee Lake about 15 miles downstream. The reservoir was created by Pacific Power and Light in 1954 by impounding the headwaters of the North Umpqua River with a 120-foot high rockf ill dam. Lake Creek which drains Diamond Lake higher in the drainage basin is the second major surface inflow. The name Lemolo is taken from scenic Lemolo Falls (168 feet high) located about two miles downstream from the dam. It is a Chinook jargon word meaning wild or untamed. The primary purpose of the project, of course, is power generation for cities in Douglas County and the reservoir is operated accordingly. However, it has also become very popular as a recreation site for water-skiing and swimming from good pumice beaches. Mt. Thielsen forms a picturesque backdrop for the lake which has three Forest Service campgrounds and a private resort to accommodate visitors. Angling for trout is good from spring through fall, although it usually slacks off in midsummer. Some very large brown trout were taken in past years, but this no longer appears to be the case. There is still good fishing for small brown trout.
Lemolo Lake exhibits the dendritic, or branched, shape typical of impounded waters in stream valleys. Two principle arms receive the inflow from Lake Creek and the North Fork of the Umpqua River. Although the lake is rather deep (100 feet) directly behind the dam, most of it is shallower than 40 feet and the mean depth is only 30 feet at full pool.
Major ion concentrations and conductivity are slightly above average for lakes and reservoirs in the Cascades, water transparency is surprisingly low (only 6.5 feet; 2 meters), and chlorophyl and total phosphorus concentrations are distinctly above average for Cascade lakes; this combination of parameters indicates eutrophic conditions. However, the sample upon which this determination was made was taken during algal bloom season. In general, a more appropriate classification is mesotrophic. The pH of the surface water is also rather high (8 to 9.5), presumably because of the active growth of planktonic algae. The generous supply of phosphorus in the water and the relatively shallow mean depth contribute to the growth of the planktonic algae, establishing the aquatic food chain that supports a productive brown trout fishery.