Guelph Lake
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Guelph Lake is a man-made lake located in the north-east corner of Guelph, Ontario and is maintained by the Grand River Conservation Authority.
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[edit] History
The 1,6608 hectare (3,971 hectare) conservation area was created with the construction of the Guelph Lake dam over the Speed River in 1974 to control and prevent flooding of the Speed River.
[edit] About
Guelph Lake is one of many Conservation Properties maintained by The Grand River Conservation Authority who look after water and other natural resources on behalf of 38 municipalities and 925,000 residents.
The Guelph Lake Dam is one of several features on the river used to prevent flooding in spring. Excess runoff is collected in the Guelph Lake reservoir which has been drained the previous autumn, and in summer the water is released slowly to regulate the flow of the river.
The conservation area has two beaches as well as a concert area with a unique living roof is on an island in the middle of the lake. The concert area is used mainly for the yearly Hillside Festival [1] Guelph lake is also home to a sailing club. Fishing and Ice Fishing in winter is also very popular on the lake. Therent the canoe or boat and enjoy canoing there. In winter it is open for ice fishing.
[edit] Camping
Guelph Lake also has a camping area with 104 serviced sites with electricity and water and about 190 unserviced sites in a variety of locations, including riverfront and forest.
[edit] Boating and Canoeing
No outboard motors boats are allowed on Guelph Lake. The only motorized boats permitted on the lake are Jon boats, which are small row boat-style boats with an electric trolling motor. These type of boats can be rented from the Grand River Conservation Authority maintained boathouse at the main beach. Canoes and kayaks are popular on the lake and can also be rented at the boathouse.
[edit] Nature Trails
There are approximately five kilometers of hiking trails which will take you through a wide variety of natural wooded areas as well as tall stands of reforestation.
[edit] Cycling
Cyclists also use the trails and roads inside the conservation area. In addition, there is a recreational trail from the Riverside Park in Guelph that follows the river to Guelph Lake.
[edit] Swimming
Swimming in the Guelph Lake conservation area is a very popular activity since the Lake was created in 1974. There are two very large sandy beaches located on the lake as well as Change houses are at both beaches but neither beach is patrolled.
[edit] Winter Activities
Along with snowshowing and hiking in the winter, the conservation provides Guelph Lake has ice fishing in the winter has equipment for rent as well.
