Gleniffer Lake (Alberta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gleniffer Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Gleniffer Lake
Location in Alberta
|
|
| Location | Red Deer County, Alberta |
| Coordinates | 52°01′35″N 114°16′13″W / 52.02639°N 114.27028°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Red Deer River |
| Primary outflows | Red Deer River |
| Catchment area | 5,610 km2 (2,170 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 7 km (4.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 17.6 km2 (6.8 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 11.6 m (38 ft) |
| Max. depth | 33 m (108 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 945 m (3,100 ft) |
Gleniffer Lake, also known as Gleniffer Reservoir, is a special kind of lake in central Alberta, Canada. It's not a natural lake but an artificial one, meaning it was made by people. It was created in 1983 when the Dickson Dam was built. This dam held back the water of the Red Deer River, forming the lake. The Red Deer River is an important river that eventually flows into the larger Saskatchewan River Basin.
Gleniffer Lake sits high up, about 945 metres (3,100 ft) above sea level. It stretches about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) long and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) wide. The lake covers an area of 17.6 square kilometres (6.8 sq mi). Its average depth is 11.6 metres (38 ft), but in some spots, it can be as deep as 33 metres (108 ft).
You can find Gleniffer Lake south of Highway 54 and east of the Cowboy Trail. It's about 36 kilometres (22 mi) west of Innisfail, Alberta and 36 kilometres (22 mi) east of Caroline. Many people visit the lake for fun. There are places for day trips, cottages, campgrounds, and resorts like Carefree Resort and Gleniffer Lake Resort. The lake also provides clean drinking water for the nearby communities.
Contents
Why Was Dickson Dam Built?
The Dickson Dam is very important for the Red Deer River. It helps control the river's flow. This means it can prevent floods when there's too much water. It also makes sure there's enough water during dry winter months. The dam helps keep the river water clean and creates a great place for people to have fun. Most importantly, it provides a steady supply of water for homes, businesses, and industries in the area, helping them grow in the future.
Fun Things to Do at Gleniffer Lake
The Gleniffer Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area (PRA) is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It has a beach where you can relax and swim. There are also many places to go fishing. You can enjoy boating, waterskiing, and even sailboarding on the lake. If you like camping, there are campgrounds available.
In 2009, several smaller recreation areas around the lake were combined into one big area, now called Gleniffer Reservoir PRA. This made it easier for visitors to enjoy all the different activities.
Fishing at Gleniffer Lake
Gleniffer Lake is a great place for fishing! You can find different types of fish here. Some areas have special trout ponds where you can catch rainbow trout. These ponds are even popular for ice fishing in the winter, especially the one at Dickson Point. Besides trout, you might also find pike, walleye, Rockies, and brown trout in the lake and nearby waters.
Keeping Gleniffer Lake Safe
Sometimes, things can happen that affect the environment around the lake. For example, in June 2008, there was a heavy rainfall. This caused the Red Deer River to flow very strongly. The strong current washed away soil that was supporting a crude oil pipeline. This caused a small amount of crude oil to leak into the river.
The oil created a shiny layer on parts of Gleniffer Reservoir. It also soaked into some debris, which had to be cleaned up. The company responsible worked hard to clean everything up, and the area was fully restored by 2011. This shows how important it is to protect our natural areas.
