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Lake McGregor History & Facts
The new company began work immediately. Some water had been turned into the lake in 1914, but not enough to reach the north dam. The first water to reach the toe of the north dam was in 191 8. High spots in the bottom of the reservoir prevented water from reaching the south darn until 1920. These high spots were dug out with great difficulty due to rains and mud.
In 1921, 9,400 acres of land were irrigated in the Vauxhall area and approximately 92,000 acre-feet of water was diverted from the Bow River into Lake McGregor.
When it was finished, the dam measured 24 feet across the top, and 240 feet across the base. It was 3,579 feet long and 44 feet high, which allowed 10 feet above high water line.
A few acres of prairie grass, extending from the west side of Lake McGregor to the canal, were officially declared park area in 1953 when a group of local citizens formed an association to build a park dedicated as a memorial to those who gave their lives in the two world wars. Several rows of caraganas were planted and rows of trees were planted in the shape of a horseshoe to encompass a playground area. Hundreds of hours of volunteer labor have been put into the park over the past years. .
Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes at the lake with Northern Pike as large as 35 lbs. and Rainbow Trout as large as 10 lbs. are not uncommon. Other species of fish in Lake McGregor include Perch, Walleye and Ling Cod. Other popular activities include boating, water-skiing, sailing, canoeing, scuba diving, picnicking and camping.
Lake McGregor was officially declared a park area in 1953 when a group of local citizens formed an association to build a park dedicated as a memorial to those who gave their lives in the two world wars. Hundreds of hours of volunteer labor have been put into the park over the years.
In 1985 the Department of Environment took over the park and has since added several thousand trees, a sprinkler system, new fire pits, new bathrooms, a huge new playground structure, a new concrete boat launch and new picnic tables.
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