Conestogo Lake

Last updated
Conestogo Lake
Conestoga Dam
Conestogo Lake.jpg
View from Conestogo Dam
Canada Ontario relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Conestogo Lake
Location Ontario, Canada
Coordinates 43°41′13″N80°44′06″W / 43.687°N 80.735°W / 43.687; -80.735
Type flood control dam/reservoir
BuiltMay 30, 1955 (1955-05-30) - October 15, 1958 (1958-10-15)
Construction engineerC.A. Pitts Company
First floodedOctober 15, 1958 (1958-10-15)

Conestogo Lake is an artificial lake on the Conestogo River in Wellington County in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. [1] It is a reservoir with a flood control dam, [2] and covers approximately 628 ha (1550 acres). 398 cottage lots are located around the lake.

Contents

Fishing is permitted in the lake and the catch may include: perch, walleye, crappie, and smallmouth bass. A recreational fishing licence is required to legally fish in Ontario.

History

Flood control measures had been first used in the 1890s and also by the construction of the Shand Dam that gave form to Lake Belwood in 1942, [3] but a long term solution was still needed.

The dam was proposed by the then Grand River Conservation Commission in 1952, but construction did not begin until 1955 due to local disputes, Hurricane Hazel and lack of government funding during the Korean War. [3] Construction of the dam was completed in late 1957 (roadwork and other items not relating to the dam control were completed after) and officially opened in October 1958.

Impact

Besides lessened flooding the dam resulted in a number of roads cut off. Two roads were re-routed:

A few roads are now severed and some with sections with different names:

Land was also lost with areas now under water. While impact was minimal to Quarindale and Kumpfville, parts of the former village of Hollen are now underwater. [4]

Conestogo Lake Conservation Area

Conestogo Lake Conservation Area is a recreation area located at the south end of Conestogo Lake near the community of Glen Allan and managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority. Most activities involves use of the lake and during non-winter months. The conservation area hosts snowmobile trails during the winter months when snow is present. [5] Access to the facility is made via Wellington County Road 11.

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References

  1. "Conestogo River". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada . Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  2. "Conestogo Lake". July 5, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Thorning, Stephen (2008). "Conestogo Dam 50 years later" (PDF). Grand River Conservation Authority. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  4. "Hollen Ontario". Ghosttownpix.com. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  5. "Conestogo Lake". July 5, 2021.