Public Notices Archives

FirstLight to Further Lower Candlewood Lake Water Levels in Response to Department of Energy Order to Support Grid Stability During Cold Snap

January 31, 2026

NEW MILFORD, Conn. – January 31, 2026 – FirstLight, the owner and operator of the Rocky River Pumped Hydro Storage Station in New Milford, must amend the ongoing drawdown plan for Candlewood Lake, by drawing it down up to 4 feet lower than originally planned, in order to provide additional generation to the power grid during the sustained cold snap impacting New England. This move…

FirstLight to Begin Annual Drawdown of Candlewood Lake on January 19

January 16, 2026

NEW MILFORD, Conn. – January 16, 2026 – FirstLight, the owner and operator of the Rocky River Pumped Hydro Storage Station, will initiate the drawdown season for Candlewood Lake, which includes Squantz Pond, on Monday, January 19, 2026. The drawdown, executed in consultation with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the U.S. Fish…

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

September 16, 2025

Lake Zoar – Beginning on October 18, 2025, FirstLight will conduct a drawdown of Lake Zoar at the Stevenson Dam to conduct its annual maintenance and inspection activities. The normal summer operating range of the station is from 103’-100.5’, and the drawdown will target an elevation of 98.5’. The drawdown will lower lake levels to minimum pond levels and aim to return to…

FirstLight Notice on Canalside Rail Trail Bike Path Detour

September 10, 2025

Beginning Monday, September 15, Canal Street between 2nd the 3rd Streets in Montague, as well as a portion of the Canalside Rail Trail Bike Path between the Great Falls Discovery Center and the 5th Street Bridge, will be closed to allow FirstLight to complete the demolition and removal of the former pedestrian bridge to the…

FirstLight and Town of New Milford Announce Updates to Public Access at New Milford Recreation Sites

July 30, 2025

Dike Point Park is now reopened for reservations while Fisherman’s Parking Lot will remain closed to the public New Milford, CT – July 30, 2025 – FirstLight and the Town of New Milford today provided updates on public access at two FirstLight recreation areas in New Milford. As of Wednesday, July 30, Dike Point Park…

FirstLight and Town of New Milford Announce Temporary Closure of New Milford Recreation Sites

July 18, 2025

Beginning Saturday, July 19, Dike Point Park and Fisherman’s Parking Lot will be temporarily closed to the public while additional public safety enhancements are established. New Milford, CT – July 18, 2025 – FirstLight and the Town of New Milford today announced the closure of two FirstLight recreation areas in New Milford in the interest…

FirstLight Completes Repairs to the Turners Falls Dam Bascule Gate #2

July 9, 2025

On July 8, FirstLight safely and successfully completed repairs to the Turners Falls Dam Bascule Gate #2 and began refilling the Turners Falls Impoundment by early evening. After drawing down the impoundment in the early hours of July 8 and reaching river levels necessary for the FirstLight team to safely access the gate, personnel entered…

FirstLight Emphasizes Safety and Awareness Amidst Flash Flood Watch

July 8, 2025

New Milford, CT – July 8, 2025 – With anticipated extreme weather and a flash flood watch issued for Connecticut, FirstLight, a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company, urges caution and awareness to those who live, visit, and recreate on and around the Housatonic River. Heavy rainfall often brings high water levels…

FirstLight Statement on Public Safety During the Turners Falls Impoundment Drawdown

July 2, 2025

Repairs to FirstLight’s Turners Falls Dam Bascule Gate #2 will commence early next week, requiring a drawdown of the Turners Falls Impoundment that is likely to beach boats and docks along the river. FirstLight is making every effort to maintain water levels through this weekend to allow boat and dock owners to remove or adjust…

FirstLight Update on the Turners Falls Bascule Gate System Incident and Repair Effort  

June 24, 2025

In order to safely make repairs to the Bascule Gate that experienced a loss of hydraulic pressure on June 3, FirstLight will have to temporarily lower the river level in the Turners Falls Impoundment (the river upstream of the dam) to stop the flow of water over the gate and allow it to be accessed…

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