Shadow Lake

Shadow Lake. The Waterford Ponds. Some 11,000 years ago the last of the great glaciers of the Ice Age retreated from this area. As the ice receded it left behind massive deposits of rock and sand that covered vast areas. Much of the rock left in this area was dolomite, pushed here in huge slabs from what is now the Niagara Escarpment. Over time, and due to the unceasing pressure of the miles thick glaciers, these slabs were ground into sand and gravel. These deposits contributed to the loamy soil that covers much of Townsend Township. Significant deposits of gravel were left to the west and north of present-day Waterford., In the late 1800s the Canada Southern Railway was built running from Windsor to Fort Erie, passing directly through Waterford. The sand and gravel in this area was a boon for the railway. Ground into clean stone by the glaciers it required little cleaning or processing other than screening for uniform sizing. Countless tons of this material was used as aggregate for building bridges and foundations for railway structures as well as ballast for the rail line. A farm owned by Oscar McMichael on land now occupied largely by the Waterford North Conservation Area was stripped of its large deposit of surface gravel. In subsequent years sand and gravel began to be removed from below grade using heavy equipment. Many of the roads and bridges in Norfolk County were built using this material. Tons of aggregate were shipped out of the area for use in such projects as the Niagara River hydro-electric plants and the Toronto subway system. The sand and gravel industry in the area continues to this day., Although the Waterford Ponds contain much natural beauty, the ponds themselves are artificial. The original pond, now known as Shadow Lake, was formed when the first mill was built in the late 18th century, damming Nanticoke Creek at the east end of the valley that runs though the town. This pond supplied water for the steam engines that decades ago ran almost continually through the area. The ponds also supplied ice for the railway and the local people. Most of the ponds are the result of the removal of sand and gravel over the past century as the excavated areas were filled by Nanticoke Creek or spring water. These bodies of water now support diverse species of flora and fauna., The Waterford ponds are a signature part of the town. They attract paddlers, fishers, cyclists and walkers who enjoy the sights provided by this wonderful community resource.