Crane Prairie Paddling

Out on the water

One of my pet peeves is when a reservoir is referred to as a lake.  Crane Prairie is certainly not a lake, it is an engineered impoundment that plays a significant role in turning the Deschutes River into a glorified irrigation canal.  But on a May day when the reservoir is at full pool, it almost feels like a lake.  And it is a good place for some easy paddling, since boat speed limits are 10 mph and most of the boaters are content to bob in place while fishing and enjoying the same views as us.

View from Crane Prairie Reservoir