Leduc Reservoir

In early June, I drove to Leduc to try out the Leduc Reservoir, located just west of Highway 2. It is right by the flags and the old jet trainer on a post.

Access is thorough Fred John's Park on the south side of the reservoir and there is a boat launch right off the parking lot. You could park as close as 10m to the water. The park has washrooms, a playground and picnic tables as well as walking paths.

The launch is a shallow gravel launch and the water is iced tea coloured. I've no idea what the water might look like later in the year. Although this is called a reservoir, it is really more of a storm pond and/or sloe.

Reverse shot of entry.

There is some inflow on the south end and an outflow on the north.

The sky was quite moody on the day I was there so the shots are a bit dreary. It was a very pretty swamp paddle with great birding.

Grebe nest with eggs.

Pelicans and geese on the island.

Cormorant.

This is a pretty representative shot: bullrush edge with aspens and firs in behind. The reservoir is surrounded by park and walking trails.

There is a small interior pond if you duck under this bridge.

The sun briefly came out. I did about 1.5 laps at a regal pace and it took me an hour.

It is worth noting that the east end of the main basin is right up against Highway 2 and it was loud.

More pelicans. Overall, a nice short paddle reminiscent of Hermitage Pond in Edmonton.

This would be a decent after-work paddle when the days start to get short of a nice two-fer with Telford Lake, just to the east.