The Gleniffer Reservoir was created by the Dickson Dam for hydroelectric power generation purposes. It provides the drinking water to Red Deer and serves to moderate flow of the Red Deer River downstream. The North Dyke Provincial Recreation Area has camping, a beach, and a boat launch nearby. Gleniffer Reservoir/Lake is popular for water-based recreational activities with usually clear summer waters and more turbidity during the spring run-off. The beach experience can vary because of changes to water levels in the reservoir over the bathing season.

History

Gleniffer Lake is named after the tiny post office that was located near the present dam site. Dickson Dam takes its name from the nearby hamlet of Dickson, which was named after Mr. Benedickson, a settler who arrived from Norway near the turn of the century (Holmgren and Holmgren, 1976).

The need for a reservoir on the Red Deer River became apparent in the late 1950s with the expansion of communities along the Red Deer River in central Alberta. This expansion led to increased water demand and a need for flow stability. In winter, dissolved oxygen concentrations in the river from Red Deer to the Saskatchewan border dropped well below levels that could support fish (Beak Consult. Ltd. 1977). Alberta Environment initiated technical studies in 1971, and after seven years of engineering and environmental studies and a series of public hearings, a decision was made to build Dickson Dam. Construction began in 1980 and the reservoir started to fill in the summer of 1983.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for North Dyke PRA on Gleniffer Reservoir/Lake and 8,000 other beaches.