Guelph Lake Conservation Area has been mostly dormant throughout the winter, aside from the few who park-and-hike the sprawling expanse of Grand River Conservation Authority land in the off-season. The area is officially closed after Oct. 15. It will reopen this year on Monday, May 1, just a few short days from now.
The last time we visited Guelph Lake through a camera lens it was in a sorry and diminished site. Last year's drought left the reservoir significantly drained. Bottom features that normally don't see life above water - old tree stumps and former gravel pit roads among them - were fully exposed.
There was some worry last fall that there might not be enough water to sustain the lake's fish stocks. And, of course, E. Coli from goose poop and other algae bloom contributors, was a problem.
The lake looks topped up and back to good health now. The water is sloshing up on the shoreline around the reservoir, and even appears deeper than normal. Heavy spring rains have contributed.
Campsites, including those that hold a semi-permanent trailer village, are empty now. But campers will quickly take up spots as the weather warms.
GRCA workers are busy getting the park ready for the first of next month, turning on systems, cleaning up dead-fall, and cutting down a few ash trees.
