Conestogo Lake


Conestogo Lake is an artificial lake on the Conestogo River in Wellington County in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. It is a reservoir with a flood control dam, and covers approximately. 398 cottage lots are located around the lake.
Fishing is permitted in the lake and the catch may include: perch, walleye, crappie, and smallmouth bass. A recreational fishing licence is required for legal fishing 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, 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. Construction of the dam was completed in late 1957 and officially opened in October 1958.

Impact

Besides lessened flooding the dam resulted in a number of roads cut off. Two roads were rerouted:
A few roads are now severed and some with sections with different names:
Land was also lost with areas now underwater. While impact was minimal to Quarindale and Kumpfville, parts of the former village of Hollen are now underwater.

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 involve use of the lake and during non-winter months. The conservation area hosts snowmobile trails during the winter months when snow is present. Access to the facility is made via Wellington County Road 11.