Selmac Lake

I found the following (below) info at;
http://savesouthdeer.org/backup/resources/lakeselmac_bema_plan.pdf
on page 4 of their report dated 2004. The report deals with Bald Eagles but a small amount of Lake info. Did you ever find any history of the Lake?

DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF LAKE SELMAC
Lake Selmac is located in Josephine County, Oregon, approximately 18 miles southwest of Grants Pass. Two
streams flow into Lake Selmac reservoir, from the south, Quedo and McMullen creeks. A 33 foot high dam is
located at the north end of the reservoir that flows back into McMullen creek. The confluence of Thompson and
McMullen creeks occurs just north of the dam. Lake Selmac is approximately 160 acres in size, with a storage
capacity of 1,675 acre feet. There is a 10 mph speed limit on the lake. Fishing boats, paddling, sailing and
swimming are the primary recreation uses of the lake. The lake is stocked with legal sized rainbow trout from late
February until Free Fishing Weekend in early June. The lake also contains a warm water fishery of trophy size
largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and brown bullhead. Fishing is open year round. Bullheads are especially
plentiful in the shallow coves on the south side of the lake. Trout can be can found by the dam as the water warms
in summer. Largemouth bass are found around stumps and overhanging brush, and crappie and bluegill can be
fished from the pier and several dikes located around the lake. A variety of waterfowl species both wild and
domestic reside year round at the lake.
The Lake Selmac resort, located on the north side of the lake, includes camping and RV parking, boat rentals, mini
golf, horse trails, and a general store. Josephine County Parks Department operates the Lake Selmac Park along
the northeast end of the lake. The park includes game fields, picnic areas, and a campground with 91 sites, 39 with
full hookups. The Lake Selmac Park has 50 developed acres. Hiking and horse trails begin at the park and go onto
BLM lands. Josephine County Parks Department is currently developing a new horse corral with six new
campsites. The county is working on a trail easement across private property to allow easy access for trail riders to
access a horse trail in section 17. A plan has been drafted with numerous government and non government entities
to connect this trail across ownerships all the way to the Oregon Caves east of Cave Junction. Additionally, in the
summer of 2004 the county implemented a fuels hazard reduction project along the county lands adjacent to
McMullen Creek Road along the entrance to Eagle Loop and Mallard Loop of the park. Title III funds were used in
cooperation with Oregon Department of Forestry and Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest. An eighteen hole Frisbee
golf course is planned to be developed in this thinned area with the cooperation of local Eagle Scouts.
Additionally, the park manages a hiking and horseback riding trail system in section 19. A portion of this trail
located in the southeast portion of the section crosses private property. This segment of the trail is proposed to be
rerouted through BLM lands in section 19, and decommissioned on private property. The trail system in section 19
connects to BLM and private property road systems that horseback riding clubs use for club events.
The Lake Selmac dam is owned by Josephine County. The dam was completed in 1961 and is made of earth. The
drainage area of the reservoir is 13 square miles and has a maximum discharge of 751 cfs. The purpose of the
reservoir is for recreation, irrigation and water supply (Oregon Water Resources Department).
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Land-use and recreational activities at Lake Selmac include low speed boating, fishing, camping, hiking,
recreational development, and associated road building and road maintenance. Fishing is probably the primary
recreational activity at the lake due to the year-round season, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife fish stocking
and being designated as a trophy bass lake. Hiking and horseback riding are other activities observed surrounding
Lake Selmac. Designated trails are located in section 19, whereas gated roads and unmanaged trails are located in
sections 13 and 17. Past commercial timber harvest has occurred on BLM lands in section 13 and 17 surrounding
the lake.