FirstLight Power, the electric utility firm that owns and operates the hydroelectric dams on the Housatonic River forming the impoundments known as Lake Zoar and Lake Lillinonah, has announced its schedule for drawing down the water levels at the two lakes.

The drawdowns allow FirstLight to do annual maintenance on Stevenson Dam, which forms Lake Zoar, and on Shepaug Dam, which forms Lake Lillinonah.

First Light urges property owners with holdings alongside the lakes to remove structures, boat-lifts, and docks from the lakes’ shorelines to prevent ice damage or flood damage from occurring during the winter months.

Any and all improvement work planned to occur along the lakes’ shorelines requires prior permits issued by FirstLight, according to FirstLight spokesman Len Greene.

Beginning on Wednesday, October 23, FirstLight will draw down the water level of Lake Zoar by discharging water at Stevenson Dam. That drawdown will allow the utility to do inspection and maintenance on its facilities.

The normal summer water level at Lake Zoar ranges from 100 feet to 103 feet above sea level. The lake’s drawdown target will be a water elevation of 98.5 feet above sea level. Lake Zoar will return to its normal level by Friday, November 1.

Beginning on Saturday, November 2, FirstLight will draw down the water level of Lake Lillinonah at Shepaug Dam to conduct inspection and maintenance.

The normal summer water elevation at Lake Lillinonah ranges from 200 feet to 195.5 feet above sea level. The lake’s drawdown target will be a water elevation of 191 feet above sea level. Lake Lillinonah’s water level is slated to return to normal by Monday, November 11.

The Massachusetts-based FirstLight does business in Connecticut and Massachusetts.