The Lewis River Hydroelectric Projects - PacifiCorp

Yale Park—Local Welcome Sign
Location:
Size:
Title:
Main
Content:
Yale Park
TBD
Yale Park
Welcome to Yale Park. This facility is owned and operated by the power
company PacifiCorp, which provides public recreation opportunities
along the reservoirs of the Lewis River.
This day-use park provides excellent access to fishing, swimming, and
other water recreation in Yale Reservoir, which stretches some 10.5 miles
northward through the scenic Lewis River Valley. The park features a
boat launch, swimming access, picnic sites, and restroom facilities.
Sidebar:
Today’s Yale Park sits on what was once a flat bench high above the
Lewis River. In the late 1800s, homesteaders established a small farm
here, perhaps attracted by the relatively level land.
Across Highway 503, at the base of the hill, was the house site. Today’s
park area was field and pastureland. The remnants of the old homestead
orchard—a cluster of apple trees—are just adjacent to the parking lot.
Sadly, this farm was the site of a tragedy. In September of 1902, one of the
biggest wildfires in the region’s history devastated much of the central
Lewis River Valley, including this homestead.
The Yacolt Burn raged for only a day, but by the time it died, it had
burned over 230,000 acres. Some 30 homesteads were destroyed, and
more than a dozen people were killed. Among the dead were the Reed
family (parents and two children), who lived here, at the homestead at
what we now call Yale Park.
Sidebar
Caption:
Photo of fire aftermath or map of fire path
The Yacolt Burn started near Stevenson, and spread to the Lewis River
Valley through the Chelatchie Prairie.
Illustration
Warned of the approaching flames by smoke and flying cinders, many
homesteaders fled with their valuables to clearings and creek bottoms,
trying to put distance between themselves and the dry, fire-ready forest.
Park Rules:
Day Use Park Regulations:
Summer Hours (April 1-September 30): 5 am-9 pm
PacifiCorp reserves the right to change the hours without notice.
Appendix 1: panel profiles Lewis River Draft I&E Plan page 32