Lake Gibson (Ontario)

Lake Gibson is a lake near Thorold in the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario, Canada. The lake is not natural, but rather was created as a reservoir for hydroelectric power generation at the Ontario Power Generation Decew Falls 1 and Decew Falls 2 generating stations.[3] The lake was created by flooding the shallow valley of Beaverdams Creek.[4] Lake Moodie is located to the northwest of Lake Gibson and is a smaller segment of the overall Lake Gibson system.[3] Almost all of the water supply to these lakes comes from Lake Erie via the Welland Canal.[3] The lakes suck part of the Twelve Mile Creek watershed.[3]

The old water mill at Decew Falls, Niagara Escarpment

Lake Gibson
The boardwalk at Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park
Lake Gibson Location in Ontario
Location	Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario
Coordinates	43°06′06″N 79°13′40″W[1]
Type	Lake
Part of	Great Lakes Basin
Primary inflows	Welland Canal
Primary outflows	Twelve Mile Creek
Basin countries	Canada
Max. length	5.0 kilometres (3.1 mi)
Max. width	1.0 kilometre (0.6 mi)
Surface elevation	170 metres (560 ft)[2]

Highway 406 crosses over the lake. At the west end of the lake is Morningstar Mill, consisting of a working gristmill dating from 1872, plus a reconstructed sawmill.[5] A short distance east of this are the ruins of DeCou House, the destination of Laura Secord's famous journey during the War of 1812.[5]

Lake Gibson is part of St. Catharines' drinking water supply. Consequently, no boating is permitted.