Built on marshy ground , for much of its history Reedsport has struggled with frequent flooding ; most of its early buildings were elevated above ground . After a devastating flood in 1964 , a dike was constructed to protect the lower town . During this flood , the waters reached the fish hatchery and overflowed the fish troughs allowing hundreds of thousands of smallmouth bass to be introduced into the Umpqua River . According to fishing reports small-mouth bass became the most abundant fish in the river . Every few years , high water induces city employees to close the dikes to prevent low-lying areas of the city from flooding
devastating flood in 1964
Christmas flood of 1964
Reedsport, Oregon