This reservoir hosts Bald Eagle, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, and many species of waterfowl, swallows, with occasional White-tailed Kite. Yellow-breasted Chat and other warblers are found here in springtime. A maintained meadow at Schwarz Park (closed in winter) has interpretive signage; here you can also access the river at the back of the campground. The paved Row River Trail, accessible from Bake Stewart Park, Harms Park, Row Point and Dorena Dam, runs 15.6 mi along an abandoned rail line from Cottage Grove, passing through patches of dense old forest and open meadows along the reservoir?s north shore, and continuing beyond to Culp Creek and Umpqua National Forest. The reservoir is drained in winter. Fees apply at Baker Bay Park.
From I-5 Exit 174 at N end of Cottage grove, go 5 mi E on Row River Rd to the intersection with Shore View Dr. From here a paved loop route around the lake offers several birding stops: (1) Continue straight on Shore View Dr for one block, then L on Spillway Rd for 0.5 mi to end where you can walk gravel road past gate to base of dam; (2) back on Shore View Dr, go 0.5 mi SE to Schwarz Park; (3) continue 2.5 mi to Baker Bay Park; (4) continue SE 4 mi to top end of reservoir, turning L at another intersection with Row River Rd by the covered bridge, and continue 1 mi NW to Bake Stewart Park; (5) continue NW 4 mi more to Harms Boat Ramp; and (6) pass two more access points at Row Point and Dorena Dam on the way back to the intersection with Shore View Dr below dam.
