Fern Ridge Reservoir Lake
Our lake lies at the south end of the 100-mile long Willamette Valley just west of Eugene, Oregon. It is primarily a flood control basin operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. They begin draining the lake in early October in anticipation of needing to hold water in times of severe flooding to protect homes and farms downstream. They usually close the dam in early winter to begin refilling it for summer use. Secondary uses of the water are: agriculture, wildlife use, and recreation.
In other words, sailing is not the priority on our lake and, unfortunately, all of our boats are out of the water by early October and we don't put back in until early April. It's sad for those of us that don't mind sailing in the cold and the rain, but it gives us time to work on the boats in the off months.
The local geography: North and East is flat flood plain. South and West are rolling hills rising to the Coast Range.
Sailing Conditions
There are three major wind patterns.
1. The clear weather pattern:
This is the most predominant condition in the summer. The wind starts light in the morning and gets stronger in the afternoon as the sun's warmth fuels the thermals up the valleys in the hills to the south and west. It normally blows out of the north from 6-16 knots. One butte lies at the northwest corner of the lake next to the dam and generates moderate 5-15 degree wind shifts, which occasionally may reach 30 degrees. The puffs come from the right, mostly. Late afternoon the wind may back as it drops in velocity. If there is not dew on the ground in the early morning, the winds will be gusty. A couple of hours before sunset, the wind will temporarily pick up, moving to the west or southwest, and be quite frisky, until the sun touches the horizon, at which time it veers back north and usually shuts off.
2. The stormy weather pattern:
This lasts for a day to a day and a half and comes from the west at 10-20 knots. Shifts do occur in this pattern as well, but seem to be more subtle and are most likely influenced by the thermal downdrafts and channeling caused by the various small valleys to the west. The shifts range about 5-10 degrees.
3. The light air pattern:
This breeze is created by the passing of a high pressure cell with a front building off-shore on the Pacific. In this pattern, the weather system winds are trying to establish themselves from the south to southeast, but the thermal north winds fight them. This causes light and shifty winds that last until either the front comes in and pattern 2 arrives or until the front dissipates and the first pattern fills in. On rare occasions, an east wind will come out of this condition. This pattern usually lasts about 2-3 hours.
Common knowledge dictates that under conditions #1, hang west. Under conditions #2, hang south. These basic rules seem to work, except when they don't. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, and you hold the left side of the course longer than anyone else, someone goes up the right side and makes out like a bandit. Under conditions #3, anything goes. Luck prevails. Overall, the winds are delightful and present an added element to the game of sailing that goes beyond go-fasts and boat speed. A quick and observant crew can read the wind and capitalize on it to gain boat lengths on competitors. The above analysis was first published by Charles Howard for the 1986 S-20 Class Championships in Eugene. They have since been reworked and revised by Ron Fish, Paul Stephens, and many observant and aspiring meteorologists. The basic premises, however, still prevail.
Camping
RICHARDSON PARK INFORMATION
Parks Division -- Lane County Department of Public Works
Marina and Boat Ramp: Seasonal and short term moorage (248 slips), and a boat ramp are available. Please call the concessionaire at 541-935-2005 for the fee schedule, moorage reservations, and more information.
There is a $3 daily use fee for the entire park. You buy the pass at an automated machine at the entrance to the park. There is no fee to launch at the boat ramp. There are restrooms and showers at the marina so you could stay on your boat there if you like.
Hours: Dawn to dusk. And beware: the county is serious about these hours. A deputy drives through at dusk and tickets anyone with a day use pass. The tickets are very high--in the hundreds of dollars!
Camping: Campsites can be reserved by calling 541-935-2005. The season is from mid-April through mid-October. Fees are $20 per site and $6 per extra vehicle. The parking spurs at each campsite are 60 feet in length. Please contact Lane County Parks at 541-682-2000 for additional information. Pets are allowed in the park/campground but must be kept on leashes at all times. This campground is very popular and is often full. It is recommended that you get a reservation ASAP if you intend to stay there.
County Parks are subject to Lane County Park Rules.
Hotels
There are many hotels in the Eugene/Springfield area. The best downtown would be the Hilton on 6th at Pearl. On campus, probably the Phoenix Inn on Franklin Blvd. But by far, the best location for hotels (that we can recommend after dark) would be any at the I-5/ Beltline exit in the Gateway area. The Courtyard by Marriott is one of them. There is a Motel-6, Double Tree, and a few other national chain hotels there too. For a longer list, see www.visitlanecounty.org and look under lodging, hotels motels.