Lake Billy Chinook is a reservoir in Jefferson County in the U.S. State of Oregon. Created by the Round Butte Dam in 1964, Lake Billy Chinook lies in a canyon at the confluence of the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius rivers near Culver and Madras. It was named for Billy Chinook, a Native American of the Wasco tribe who traveled alongside American explorers John C Fremont and Kit Carson in their expeditions of 1843 and 1844. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Billy_Chinook

 

Although called Lake Billy Chinook, it is actually a man made reservoir created in 1964 by the creation of the Round Butte Dam by Portland General Electric. The reservoir is the result of the Round Butte Dam backing up the Crooked River, The Deschutes River and the Metolius River. The forces of these rivers carved the deep canyons that you see today. The hydroelectric facilities at the dam are now co-managed by PGE and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. http://covepalisadesresort.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=25

 

Lake Billy Chinook lies in canyons carved by the three rivers into earth held in place by basaltic caprock. Construction of the Round Butte Dam was completed in 1964 across the Deschutes River. Operated by Portland General Electric (PGE), and jointly owned by PGE and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the dam and lake primarily provide electric generation.[1] The Confederated Tribes named the lake in honor of Billy Chinook, a member of the Wasco tribe who acted as a guide for John C. Frémont in the region of the lake. The lake extends beyond the boundaries of The Cove Palisades State Park. http://www.completefish.com/oregon/lake-billy-chinook

 

Other links about Lake Billy Chinook:

http://www.lakebillychinook.com/

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/destinations/lakes-reservoirs/lake-billy-chinook/

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2017/09/state_lifts_algae_health_advis.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g51954-d3249792-Reviews-Lake_Billy_Chinook-Madras_Central_Oregon_Oregon.html

https://www.weatherforyou.com/reports/index.php?place=lake+billy+chinook+state&state=or