Lake Diefenbaker | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Lake Diefenbaker

Lake Diefenbaker is a reservoir lake south of Saskatoon, Sask. It was formed by the construction of 2 dams that created a widening in the South SASKATCHEWAN RIVER as part of the South Saskatchewan River Development Project, inaugurated in 1958.
 Lake Diefenbaker
Storm over Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan.
 Lake Diefenbaker
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan

Lake Diefenbaker is a reservoir lake south of Saskatoon, Sask. It was formed by the construction of 2 dams that created a widening in the South Saskatchewan River as part of the South Saskatchewan River Development Project, inaugurated in 1958. The reservoir has a live storage capacity of about 4 billion m3 of water that feeds a hydroelectric power plant and an irrigation project. It contributes to the water supply of Saskatoon and is a popular water recreation area. It was named in 1967 for John Diefenbaker, the first Saskatchewan resident to become prime minister of Canada; the larger of the 2 dams is named for James G. Gardiner, Diefenbaker's arch-opponent.