Mt. McLoughlin is a 9,495-foot snow-capped peak in the Western Cascade Mountains of Southern Oregon.  Originally known as Mt. Pitt, in 1905 it was officially named after Dr. John McLoughlin of the Hudson's Bay Co., one of the historical chief benefactors of Oregon.  The western slopes of this peak are part of the Big Butte Springs watershed serving the citizens of Medford and other Jackson County residents through the efforts of the Medford Water Commission (MWC). 

The lake in the foreground of this picture (taken in December 2000) is Willow Lake, and is located in the Rogue River National Forest off Highway 140 about 30 miles northeast of Medford.  Willow Lake was formed by the construction of Willow Creek Dam by the MWC in 1952. Water from the lake is used by the Eagle Point Irrigation District, with whom the Medford Water Commission shares rights to the Big Butte Springs -- principal source of Medford's high quality drinking water.  Each day, the springs produce about 26.4 million gallons of some of the purest water available to domestic water users. 

Last updated on May 23, 2004 © 1997-2004