History
On July 15, 1926, Connecticut Light & Power Company’s board of directors approved a plan to build a man-made reservoir in order to produce electric power. What would become Candlewood Lake was the first large-scale project in the United States to employ the concept of a pumped-water storage facility; basically, water from the Housatonic River was pumped up a 13-foot-diameter pipe and then held in a large reservoir. When needed, this water would flow back down into a turbine which produced the electricity. It took Connecticut Light & Power 26 months to complete the construction of Connecticut’s largest lake including the building of the dam and the flooding of the 5,420 acres of farmland, forests, and the small community of Jerusalem on land belonging to the towns of Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford and Sherman. The project also required that 4,500 acres of woodland be hand cleared. Some of the 1,400 laborers on the project were housed in four temporary work camps built at the site.
In all, there were 35 families who owned property in the area to be flooded and to which Connecticut Light & Power held the right of eminent domain, under which private property can be taken for public use. Most of these families sold their property to the company but a few refused and some of the lake bed property is still privately owned. Approximately 100 buildings, including schools, houses, barns and churches were demolished or moved. Even gravestones were moved, as were remains that workers were paid $1 to exhume for reburial.
On February 25, 1928, water was first pumped into the valley and by September 29, 1928, the lake was officially complete at 429 feet above sea level. Candlewood Lake is 16 miles long, 3.2 miles wide with an average depth of 40 feet, and covers a surface area of 8.4 square miles or 5,400 acres.
Source- https://connecticuthistory.org/creating-candlewood-lake/
How Candlewood Lake Got Its Name
The name of the lake was going to be Lake Danbury, but they decided to name it after the surrounding Candlewood Mountains, which was named after the pine trees, whose sapling branches were often used as candles and torches by the Native Americans and early settlers.
Islands
There are 12 islands on Candlewood Lake:
- Green Island
- Deer Island
- Cedar Island
- Oak Island
- Rock Island
- Pine Island
- Sand Island
- Shipwreck Island
- Skeleton Island
- Thistle Island
- Banger Islands
- City Island
First Light Power Company
Candlewood Lake is owned and operated by FirstLight Power Company as a hydro-power facility licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Source- https://www.firstlightpower.com/about-firstlight/
Candlewood Lake Authority
The Candlewood Lake Authority is wholly dedicated to the safekeeping of Candlewood Lake. They promote responsible recreation, conservation, and stewardship for the largest lake in the state of Connecticut. Candlewood Lake Authority partners with the many stakeholders to advocate for Candlewood Lake including owners FirstLight Power Company, federal permittee Federal Energy & Resource Committee (FERC), the state Department of Education and Environmental Protection (DEEP) as well as local public officials, businesses, and residents.
Source- https://candlewoodlakeauthority.org/Home
Candlewood Lake Today
Candlewood is the largest man made recreational lake in Connecticut: it has 65 miles of shoreline, surface area of over 8.5 square miles, 5420 acres, 11 miles long, 2 miles wide at its widest point. The average depth of the lake is 30’; its maximum depth is 85’ near the dam in New Milford.
The lake encompasses the towns of Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, and Sherman, each with a town beach. There are two public boat launches that allow you to trailer a boat or you may keep your boat at one of the seven marinas surrounding Candlewood Lake. Boat rentals are also offered at some local marinas.
Recreational activities are endless on Candlewood Lake. In the warm months- swimming, boating, fishing, paddle boating, kayaking, stand up paddle boards, and relaxing or playing at a town beach. In colder months when the lake freezes there is a whole new batch of activities to enjoy- ice skating, ice fishing, cross country skiing and snow shoeing.
Each lake town and the surrounding communities offer year round events, dining, arts and entertainment. While at Candlewood Lake, you’ll feel worlds away from the daily grind, yet you’re only two hours max from New York City, with restaurants, retail shopping, schools, places of worship only minutes away.
Whether you are coming for a visit or plan on making the Candlewood Lake area your home, it is the perfect place to create lasting memories with family and friends.