Boat launch at Conestogo Lake to be out of service for rest of the season

Boats out at Conestogo Lake. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV Kitchener) (June 11, 2022)

The west boat launch at Conestogo Lake will be out of service starting this weekend, in preparation for repairs to the Conestogo Dam.

In a release on Friday, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) said the project is part of ongoing efforts completed on the dam in the last few years. It will repair normal damage caused by regular weather and ice events.

The repairs require low water levels. In preparation, the reservoir will have to be drawn down gradually.

Because of this, the west boat launch will be out of service for the season beginning Saturday, Aug. 23. The east boat launch, the longer one of the two, will stay in service until Labour Day on Monday, Sept. 1. The east boat launch will close Sept. 2 as water levels lower further.

Boaters and cottagers are advised to make plans to remove boats before Sept. 2.

“Drawdown of the reservoir may be impacted by weather or downstream flow requirements. Should there be any changes to the schedule, the project webpage will be updated and notifications will be sent,” said the GRCA.

One lane of Wellington Road 11 is closed to accommodate the project and owners of the cottages on Conestogo Lake are being asked to monitor their properties throughout the project.

The dam will continue to operate the duration of the project and provide its primary flood storage and flow augmentation functions.