Nearby lakes for dogs to swim

[canadianmoosette]

What are your favorite places to take your dogs for a swim in the summer? I have a water crazy Labrador and I would like to find some new spots to let her leash for a swim. Last year we discovered Watridge Lake at Mount Shark which was awesome. Looking for more places like this where it is pretty quiet, out in nature and not a ton of people around. Most weekends we end up just going to the Airdrie offleash park that has the doggy lake but its nice to get out of the city and away from all the people

[nik-]

Lake Bonavista

[Robbob]

The dog park by Southland and Deerfoot has a few water holes in the calmer parts of the river. It can be busy, but its convenient. I also like going up to spray lake. Nice drive to the mountains as well.

[foshizzle11]

What about the Elbow river? There are some good spots near Sandy Beach, the water doesn't move very quickly and you can find times that aren't that busy to go. I used to take my dog there all the time and it isn't as busy as the southland drive one. I would stay away from that dog park, a lot of out of control dogs and owners.

[OMG!WTF!]

There's a pretty good pond in Nosehill park, towards the south side by the gravel pit. It's a total dog pool but might be very shallow this year because of the drought. It's usually about four acres big and about four feet deep...kind of perfect for dogs.

In the mountains, Elbow lake is the classic but crowded. Rae lake has the same start but at 8 kms, weeds out the gawkers. Tombstone Lake also has the same start and is really great. Just treat them as treasures when you leave. I've got some secret spots in that area as well if you want to message me.

Instead of Watridge, do Rummel Lake and the tarns beyond. Or for an easier approach, Burstall lakes at the Burstall parking lot. Across the road, Chester is too crowded and too pretty. Headwall lake is kind of hard to get to since the floods. Or if you're keen on the Watridge start, do Marushka lake and Kristin Tarns beyond. Or Tryst lake. It's small an quiet and has a good snow patch behind.

Closer to Calgary is Twin lakes and all those cool little lakes at the base of Yamnuska. It's an hour drive and a ten minute flat hike to the first of many lakes. Or if you're out near Turner Valley Whiskey Lake is pretty easy to get to and usually has no one there.

It's generally my mission to find water and snow for my dog friend in the summer. The best spots are off the maps and usually just seasonal tarns or shady glaciers with no one around. Haven't found anything east of the city yet.

[troutman]

How cold of water can dogs tolerate? Some of those alpine lakes are real chilly and stocked with cutthroat trout.

I can't find much info on this other than this rule of thumb - safe to swim if water temperature plus air temperature is greater than 100 (Farenheit).

[foshizzle11]

Ya, my dog can't tolerate those cold mountain lakes for very long before she starts to shiver. If your dog likes to swim for a long time, I wouldn't suggest doing some of those cold alpine lakes. What about something like the ghost lake reservoir. It isn't too far and wouldn't be too cold.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by troutman

How cold of water can dogs tolerate? Some of those alpine lakes are real chilly and stocked with cutthroat trout.

Depends on the breed and outside temperature but nothing beats a swim and a roll in the snow right after for my golden friend. Then a snow lunch followed by a snow nap. Then another dip.

[canadianmoosette]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

Depends on the breed and outside temperature but nothing beats a swim and a roll in the snow right after for my golden friend. Then a snow lunch followed by a snow nap. Then another dip.

Same goes for my Lab. I also have a boxer and she is a huge water wuss so she just comes along for the walk, drinks a bit and then sunbathes on the shore

[Canehdianman]

my yellow lab loves the water, no matter the temp.

I try to be careful letting him in it in winter though. Don't want him to get limber tail syndrome.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limber_tail_syndrome

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

my yellow lab loves the water, no matter the temp.

I try to be careful letting him in it in winter though. Don't want him to get limber tail syndrome.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limber_tail_syndrome

From your link:

It has been said[by whom?] that limber tail may be caused by swimming in water that is too cold or too warm. However, these claims are false, and any resource citing these claims is unreliable and should be regarded with skepticism[by whom?]. The actual cause is narrowing of the space through which the spinal cord passes, typically due to degenerative change to the intervertebral disk spaces. These underlying changes may not lead to visible change until the problem is suddenly exacerbated, such as during physical activity, after trauma, etc. Occasionally other changes are seen prior to or in conjunction with limber tail disease, such as urinary or fecal incontinence, postural abnormalities in the pelvic limb, or pain in response to touching the lower back.

The bearspaw damn used to be an awesome spot and usually quite quiet. Too bad the rail road company closed it. Might be able to sneak in still.

[Canehdianman]

Haha ,good to know! I was always told that it is caused by cold water.

[undercoverbrother]

Doesn't Carbon Park have a pond for dogs?

Edit, it does but it isn't an off leash area.

Thanks ranchlandsselling

[aaronck]

Elbow river by Sandy beach is great in summer, I also discovered a great swimming hole in Discovery Ridge, if you walk to the river by Griffith Woods, you can get to some great swimming holes/ picnic spots that are totally deserted. Great for dogs

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Doesn't Carbon Park have a pond for dogs?

Edit:

yes it does

http://calgaryarea.com/index.php?p=parks&c=Carburn

I don't know that the pond is "for dogs" the entire area is considered "on leash" with sections that are completely "no dog" areas with an abundance of "off leash" across the bridge in the many areas of the Southland/Sue Higgins dog park. That blurb talks about the park but doesn't mention anything about dogs. Additionally The City seems to discourage dog use in areas that are used by local wildlife and there's also Beavers in the pond.

Edit:
http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pag...burn-Park.aspx on leash only!

[T@T]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

Depends on the breed and outside temperature but nothing beats a swim and a roll in the snow right after for my golden friend. Then a snow lunch followed by a snow nap. Then another dip.

I had an irish water spaniel who went for a long swim in Barrier Lake(Kananaskis) in late may, by november I had to have him put down as he lost to use of his rear legs.

Vet said he got a "cold" of sorts in his spine and never recovered and blamed the cold water and how long he was in it. This dog was probably a little different than most because he wouldn't come out of water until he was totally exhausted but be careful how long you leave any breed in those cold mountain lakes.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by nik-

Lake Bonavista

I hear it smells like ass lately though.

Spoiler!

Came in to make Lake Bonavista joke, so this is my crappy backup

[para transit fellow]

Roxoboro off leash park has a spot where dog can access the Elbow river.