This reservoir on the Coast Fork of the Willamette River is home to Bald Eagles year-round, with nesting Osprey and many species of waterfowl. In late fall, the water level is lowered but deep water remains around the dam and hosts flocks of Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Common and Hooded Merganser, Lesser Scaup, and Pied-billed Grebe; view from Lakeside Park or from a small pullout on the E end of the dam just above Riverside Park. Watch for Spotted Sandpiper on the shore. A wastewater treatment pond near Riverside Park is closed to the public, but you can scan the American Wigeon flock from the road to pick out Eurasian Wigeon.
From I-5 Exit 172 at S end of Cottage Grove, go E on 6th St, which turns into London Rd. Continue along London Rd to intersection with Cottage Grove Reservoir Rd on L (MP 2.8). From here either turn L and go 0.6 mi to Riverside Park at base of dam (GPS 43 42.959 N, 123 02.968 W), or continue for 0.5 mi on London Rd to Lakeside Park (MP 3.3).
