Unity Reservoir
Baker County, Oregon960 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from C at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Habitat alterations
- #3 of 5 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Unity Reservoir in Baker County, Oregon has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Chlorophyll-a (algae): 17.8 µg/L. Surface area: 960 acres.
- Area
- 960 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Chlorophyll-a
- 17.8 µg/L
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- Yes
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Stays near Unity Reservoir
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Unity Reservoir in Baker County, Oregon — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Unity Reservoir are listed below.
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Watch Unity Reservoir’s letter
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Unity Reservoir is a 960-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Baker County, Oregon. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Baker County, Unity Reservoir ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Oregon DEQ, last sampled 2025-10-29. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Unity Reservoir is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Unity Reservoir is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for habitat alterations, metals (other than mercury). Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
No clarity data. Chlorophyll-a 17.8 µg/L. TSI 59. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 17.8 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 960 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Unity Reservoir, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Unity Lake State Recreation SitePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Unity Reservoir
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.252 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +7.55 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +3.6 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Unity Reservoir is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Unity Dam (completed 1938), built primarily for irrigation on the Burnt River; earth-type dam, 82 ft tall and 694 ft long.
- Surface area
- 960 ac
- Normal storage
- 24,970 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 25,500 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 311.47 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID OR00593 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Unity Reservoir is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit OR_LK_1705020201_05_100584 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 5 lakes in Baker County
Nearby Lakes in Baker County
Frequently asked questions about Unity Reservoir
Where is Unity Reservoir?
- Unity Reservoir is a lake in Baker County, Oregon. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Unity Reservoir?
- Unity Reservoir in Baker County, Oregon has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Chlorophyll-a (algae): 17.8 µg/L. Surface area: 960 acres.
Is Unity Reservoir safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Unity Reservoir is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for habitat alterations, metals (other than mercury). Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Unity Reservoir?
- Unity Reservoir has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Unity Lake State Recreation Site. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Unity Reservoir across LakeQuality
21.9 mi away · recorded at 136°F
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Oregon's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Other Grade D Lakes in Oregon
Malheur County · 4.9 ft
Malheur County · Nutrient-rich
Crook County · Nutrient-rich
Crook County · Nutrient-rich
Jefferson County · Nutrient-rich
Jefferson County · Nutrient-rich
Eutrophic Lakes in Oregon
Where this data comes from
8 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Department of Environmental Quality - State of Oregon
OREGONDEQ8 samples · 2024–2025
Analytical methods
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory