FirstLight Announces Annual Lake Drawdowns in Connecticut

For Immediate Release
September 17, 2021               

FirstLight Annual Drawdown of Candlewood Lake, Lake Lillinonah, and Lake Zoar

Candlewood Lake – FirstLight Power (FirstLight), the owner and operator of the Rocky River pumped hydroelectric station, will conduct a 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 2022.  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 not available. 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. All work planned to occur along the shoreline requires prior permitting from FirstLight, who can be contacted at lake.permits@firstlightpower.com.

Lake Lillinonah – Beginning on October 27, 2021 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 8, 2021. All homeowners are encouraged to remove structures, boatlifts, and docks from Lake Lillinonah to prevent ice or flood damage from occurring during the winter months. All work planned to occur along the shoreline requires prior permitting from FirstLight, who can be contacted at lake.permits@firstlightpower.com.

Lake Zoar – Beginning on October 15, 2021 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 October 27, 2021. All homeowners are encouraged to remove structures, boatlifts, and docks from Lake Zoar to prevent ice or flood damage from occurring during the winter months. All work planned to occur along the shoreline requires prior permitting from FirstLight, who can be contacted at lake.permits@firstlightpower.com.

FirstLight Power is a leading renewable power producer and energy storage company based in Massachusetts and Connecticut with a portfolio that includes over 1,400 MW of hydroelectric generation, pumped hydro energy storage, battery storage, and solar generation. It is the largest hydroelectric generation company in the State of Connecticut and the largest energy storage company in New England.

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