Gibson Lake (Indiana)
| Company type | Cooling reservoir |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Headquarters | Gibson County, Indiana, United States |
Area served | Gibson Generating Station |
| Products | Cooling water for power generation |
Gibson Lake serves as the cooling reservoir for Duke Energy Indiana's Gibson Generating Station. Spanning roughly , it holds the distinction of being Indiana's largest entirely above-ground lake, with its perimeter largely defined by rock embankments. Fishing was permitted starting in 1978, attracting anglers targeting bass, catfish, bluegill, and carp; however, fishing activities were prohibited in 2007 due to increased selenium concentrations. The only public entry to the lake is via a boat ramp located southeast of the facility along Gibson County Road 975 South.
The lake's water temperature remains consistently above throughout the year, warmed by the thermal discharge from the plant’s condensers, which can occasionally lead to light snowfall in the vicinity.
Wildlife
The Gibson Lake area and the adjacent Gibson Generating Station complex provide habitat for a wide array of bird species such as red-throated loon, American white pelican, peregrine falcon, snowy owl, whooping crane, among others. This location functions as an important stopover point during migrations. Interestingly, both Google Earth and Garmin GPS identify this site as Broad Pond, a name derived from the former Broad Pond-Cane Ridge-Wabash River oxbow that was once evaluated for designation as a National Wildlife Refuge.
Specialty species
- Least terns nest within the habitats of Gibson Lake and Cane Ridge and can be observed from mid-May through early September.
- Bald eagles frequently appear during winter months near the levee area and establish nests along the Wabash River.
Temperature
Due to thermal inputs from the plant’s condenser outflows, lake temperatures seldom fall below , which also impacts local climatic conditions.
Outflow (West) Side
| Season | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 50 °F (10 °C) | 65 °F (18 °C) |
| Summer | 95 °F (35 °C) | 110 °F (43 °C) |
Inflow (East) Side
| Season | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 40 °F (4 °C) | 55 °F (13 °C) |
| Summer | 88 °F (31 °C) | 95 °F (35 °C) |
A splitter dike extends approximately 500 yards from the main generating station, helping to retain water within the lake for periods ranging from one to two weeks.