Connecticut 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 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…

2025 Shoreline Management Plan Review and Update

February 5, 2025

As part of its approval of the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requires a periodic review and update of the SMP. As a result of that required review, FirstLight has updated the SMP with its proposed modifications. The revised SMP has been provided to Stakeholders for consultation. To view and…

FirstLight to Begin Annual Drawdown of Candlewood Lake on January 7

January 6, 2025

NEW MILFORD, Conn. – January 6, 2025 – FirstLight, the owner and operator of the Rocky River Pumped Hydro Storage Station, will initiate the deep drawdown season for Candlewood Lake, which includes Squantz Pond, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The deep drawdown, executed in consultation with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the…

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

September 24, 2024

Lake Zoar – Beginning on October 19, 2024, 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…

FirstLight Update on Debris Removal Efforts

August 21, 2024

Beginning tomorrow, August 22nd, FirstLight will begin releasing debris that has collected between the boat barrier and the Stevenson Dam through the dam’s sluice gates. To support the public’s ability to recreate on the river, we will avoid passing debris Friday through Sunday to enable weekend recreation. It is essential for FirstLight to begin this…

FirstLight Statement on Debris Removal Efforts Following Sunday’s Extreme Rainfall and Flooding

August 20, 2024

Following the extreme rainfall event and associated flooding that impacted Southwestern Connecticut and the Lower Housatonic River area on Sunday, August 18th, both man-made and natural debris made its way downstream and collected above the Stevenson Dam. Starting Thursday, August 22nd, FirstLight will begin a phased effort to safely address the debris field. Smaller woody…

FirstLight Statement on Extreme Rainfall in Western Connecticut

August 18, 2024

Amidst extreme unanticipated rainfall in Western Connecticut and associated flooding in the Lower Housatonic River area, FirstLight assures the community that the Stevenson Dam is structurally secure and is operating as it was designed to – it is not in danger of failing. The Stevenson Dam is not a flood control facility, so it cannot…

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