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New vessel launched for the 2026 boating season brings advanced research and education capabilities to Connecticut’s largest lake. Candlewood Lake, CT – June 17, 2026 – The Candlewood Lake Authority’s (CLA) new state-of-the-art research vessel marks a significant step forward in efforts to protect and preserve Candlewood Lake for future generations. It is the first-ever…
Read moreNEW 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…
Read moreNEW 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…
Read moreLake 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…
Read moreBeginning 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…
Read moreAs 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…
Read moreNEW 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…
Read moreLake 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…
Read moreBeginning 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…
Read moreFollowing 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…
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