Guelph Lake
Encyclopedia
Guelph Lake is a man-made reservoir
on the Speed River
, in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa. It is located upriver and slightly northeast of the city of Guelph
, Ontario
. The reservoir was created in 1974, with the construction of the Guelph Lake dam. The site is part of a 1,608 hectare (3,971 acre) conservation area maintained by the Grand River Conservation Authority
.
The Guelph Lake conservation area has a camping area with 104 serviced sites with electricity and water and about 190 un-serviced sites in a variety of locations, including riverfront and forest. Approximately five kilometres of hiking and biking trails wind their way through a wide variety of natural wooded areas as well as tall stands of reforestation inside the conservation area. In addition, there is a recreational trail from downtown Guelph that follows the river to Guelph Lake.
The conservation area
includes two beaches, and a venue for outdoor concerts. The concert area, which has a living roof, is located on a peninsula at the centre of the lake, and is the site of the annual Hillside Festival.
No outboard motors boats are allowed on Guelph Lake. The only motorized boats permitted on the lake are Jon boat
s, which are small row boat-style boats with an electric trolling motor. They can be rented from the boathouse at the main beach. Canoes and kayaks are popular on the lake and can also be rented from the boathouse.
Since the founding of the Guelph Rowing Club in 1998, the sport of rowing has grown in popularity at Guelph Lake. From 2000, the club has also served as home to the University of Guelph '"Gryphons"' Rowing Team. In 2008, a permanent boathouse was constructed on the shores of the lake. This boathouse provides facilities for a thriving community of competitive and recreational rowers.
Guelph lake is home to a sailing club.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
on the Speed River
Speed River
The Speed River is a river that flows through Wellington County and the Region of Waterloo in western Ontario, Canada. It flows south from its source near Orton, through Guelph, where it is joined by the Eramosa River, then through the towns of Hespeler and Preston, finally uniting with the Grand...
, in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa. It is located upriver and slightly northeast of the city of Guelph
Guelph
Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The reservoir was created in 1974, with the construction of the Guelph Lake dam. The site is part of a 1,608 hectare (3,971 acre) conservation area maintained by the Grand River Conservation Authority
Grand River Conservation Authority
The Grand River Conservation Authority is a conservation authority in Ontario, Canada. It operates under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario...
.
Conservation Area
Ever since the reservoir was created in 1974, the Guelph Lake conservation area has been popular for swimming and various beach activities. There are changing facilities, and two man-made sand beaches at Guelph Lake; however, the park does not maintain a regular lifeguard patrol.The Guelph Lake conservation area has a camping area with 104 serviced sites with electricity and water and about 190 un-serviced sites in a variety of locations, including riverfront and forest. Approximately five kilometres of hiking and biking trails wind their way through a wide variety of natural wooded areas as well as tall stands of reforestation inside the conservation area. In addition, there is a recreational trail from downtown Guelph that follows the river to Guelph Lake.
The conservation area
Conservation area
A conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...
includes two beaches, and a venue for outdoor concerts. The concert area, which has a living roof, is located on a peninsula at the centre of the lake, and is the site of the annual Hillside Festival.
Boating and rowing
Jon boat
A jon boat is a flat-bottomed boat constructed of aluminum or wood with one, two, or three bench seats. They are particularly useful for hunting due to the greater level of stability as compared with a V-hull aluminum boat. They are quite suitable for fishing as well...
s, which are small row boat-style boats with an electric trolling motor. They can be rented from the boathouse at the main beach. Canoes and kayaks are popular on the lake and can also be rented from the boathouse.
Since the founding of the Guelph Rowing Club in 1998, the sport of rowing has grown in popularity at Guelph Lake. From 2000, the club has also served as home to the University of Guelph '"Gryphons"' Rowing Team. In 2008, a permanent boathouse was constructed on the shores of the lake. This boathouse provides facilities for a thriving community of competitive and recreational rowers.
Guelph lake is home to a sailing club.