My Watermark is Fairly Lake, known as "The Dam", in Wolseley, Saskatchewan.

Personal Importance: This body of water in the middle of the town, called simply "The Dam" when I was growing up in the 1950s and for decades previous, is where I learned to swim. The Red Cross gave swimming lessons at the beach and there was also a diving board. It was a great place to meet friends, spend summer afternoons and socialize. The challenge for teenagers was always to swim across "The Dam" from the beach to the south side. There were leeches present and the town used to add bluestone to try to eliminate them. I have a snapshot of my father boating on this water in the 1930s.

General Importance: This body of water was formed in the 1880s, when the Canadian Pacific Railway dammed Wolf Creek, which ran through the town of Wolseley, in order to obtain a water supply for its steam engines. Thus it had much wider importance than only locally. Wolseley is one of the few small towns in SK which has a body of water, which I think contributed to the town being blessed with very large trees and thus shade. There have been 3 swinging bridges across the Lake which have always been well known. One was destroyed in 1954 as the result of a windstorm, was rebuilt in 1964, then destroyed again by weather in the 1970s. The current longer and more modern swinging bridge was dedicated in 2004. All three have provided much fun and entertainment over the years to people (especially children) as they walk or run across trying to keep their balance.

Also, Fairly Lake with a fountain in the middle, provides a lovely view for residents of the Lakeside Homes situated on the shore as well as for all residents and visitors to the town. I no longer live in the town, but remember it fondly.