Water is borrowed from the Willamette River and flows through the Millrace to the 11 block Emerald Canal, which takes the water through the Amazon to Fern Ridge Lake. From Fern Ridge the water flows over the dam into the Long Tom River and returns to the Willamette after Monroe.

This regional water system brings important urban and rural benefits to our metropolitan area.

Farmers receive irrigation water from upstream reservoirs on the Willamette.

Fern Ridge has a source of recreational water to fill the lake even in dry years.

The Amazon has year-round water, better water quality, improved habitat, and becomes a recreational and scenic resource.

In town, new housing and mixed uses line the blue-green park and water corridor that links the Eugene Millrace to Amazon Creek through the West University Neighborhood.