Prineville Reservoir

Prineville Reservoir, formed by the Arthur R. Bowman Dam on the Crooked River, is a major water-storage and irrigation project in Central Oregon as well as one of the region’s leading recreation lakes. Completed in 1961, it flooded a juniper-and-sagebrush canyon to create a long, narrow reservoir with flood control and public recreation as secondary purposes. Boating, fishing, camping, and winter ice fishing make it a popular destination, while a wildlife management area at its northeast end supports birds, mammals, and reptiles. Its appeal grew further in 2021 when Prineville Reservoir State Park became Oregon’s first International Dark Sky Place.

Oregon · United States