Annual Drawdown Schedule for Candlewood Lake, Lake Lillinonah, and Lake Zoar
Candlewood Lake – For the 2019-2020 winter season FirstLight will conduct a shallow drawdown of Candlewood Lake, which includes Squantz Pond. In consultation with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Candlewood Lake Authority the drawdown season will begin December 1 and run until the opening of fishing season in April 2020. The normal summer operating range of the station is from 429.5’-427’ and the drawdown will target an elevation of 424’. Water levels will fluctuate throughout the season and will drop to minimum pond levels to expose invasive Eurasian Water Milfoil to freezing temperatures, which helps to reduce the annual proliferation of the plant during the recreational season. Due to unknown weather patterns exact dates and associated lake levels are unavailable. Homeowners are therefore strongly encouraged to remove their structures, boatlifts, and docks from Candlewood Lake prior to the winter season to prevent ice damage along the shoreline. Any and all work planned to occur along the shoreline requires prior permitting from FirstLight.
Lake Zoar – Beginning on October 23, 2019 FirstLight will conduct a fall drawdown of Lake Zoar at the Stevenson Dam to conduct its maintenance and inspection activities. The normal summer operating range of the station is from 103’-100’ and the drawdown will target an elevation of 98.5’. The drawdown will lower lake levels to minimum pond levels and return to normal operating elevations on November 1, 2019. All homeowners are also urged to remove structures, boatlifts and docks from Lake Zoar to prevent ice or flood damage from occurring during the winter months. Any and all work planned to occur along the shoreline requires prior permitting from FirstLight.
Lake Lillinonah – Beginning on November 2, 2019 FirstLight will conduct a drawdown of Lake Lillinonah at the Shepaug Dam to conduct its maintenance and inspection activities. The normal summer operating range of the station is from 200’-195.5’ and the drawdown will target an elevation of 191’. The drawdown will lower lake levels to minimum pond levels and return to normal operating elevations on November 11, 2019. All homeowners are also urged to remove structures, boatlifts, and docks from Lake Lillinonah to prevent ice or flood damage from occurring during the winter months. Any and all work planned to occur along the shoreline requires prior permitting from FirstLight.
