Places to Go: Montrose Conservation Area

Montrose Conservation Area

Former power plant water source continues to draw waterfowl, shorebirds

For decades, Montrose Lake Conservation Area (CA) drew thousands of waterfowl during the winter due to the lake’s consistently warm water coming from the nearby power plant. Now, even with the power plant gone, the lake continues to draw waterfowl, waterfowl hunters, and birders.

Located on 2,750 acres in Henry County, the 1,600-acre Montrose Lake was created in the 1950s to provide cooling water for a coal-fired electrical plant. The warm water discharged from the plant prevented the lake from freezing over, said Wildlife Biologist Brian Bokern.

“The hot water was key in the wintertime because it used to keep the lake from freezing over, and waterfowl — no matter how cold it was — always had a place to have open water,” Bokern said. “So, it has a long tradition of waterfowl using it.”

Even though the plant is gone, the lake continues to draw large numbers and varieties of waterfowl, shorebirds, and more, he said.

“It just gets a little bit of everything,” he said. “You can see it there — shorebirds, seagulls, seagulls by the hundreds and thousands at times.”

Parts of the area are closed during waterfowl hunting seasons, so visitors should call before arriving.