It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Cottage Grove.

[2] Set at the south end of the Willamette Valley and criss-crossed by the Coast Fork Willamette River and its tributary the Row River, the area was susceptible to periodic flooding from large rains and snow melts in the surrounding mountains prior to the construction of the dam.

In the 1940s the United States Army Corps of Engineers began construction of dams which created Cottage Grove Lake and Dorena Lake.

Dorena Lake is a popular summer vacation destination.

Amenities include Baker Bay Marina and Schwarz Park campground.