The Past, Present, And Future

Of Candlewood Lake

DANBURY — On four Thursday nights in June, area residents will have the opportunity to acquire information, hear expert opinions, and share their own concerns about Candlewood Lake during a seminar series at Western Connecticut State University.

The presentations will be from 7 to 8 pm on June 3, 10, 17, and 24, in the Student Center Theater in the Student Center on the university’s midtown campus, 181 White Street. Admission will be free and the public is invited.

The series will examine the history, ecology, economic importance, and future of the lake created by the Connecticut Light and Power Company when it dammed the Rocky River in 1928.

“Candlewood Lake is probably the most important manmade structure in western New England, certainly in Connecticut,” said WestConn Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences Dr Thomas Philbrick, one of the event’s co-organizers. “This lecture series covers a topic that should be of strong regional interest.”

The speakers and topics covered will open on June 3 with Robert Gates, a station manager with Northeast Generation Services Company, who will discuss “The Making of Candlewood Lake.” As station manager, Mr Gates oversees ten hydroelectric power stations in Connecticut, including the Rocky River hydroelectric plant on Candlewood Lake.

His talk will focus on the planning, development, and construction of Candlewood Lake and its role as an important electricity-producing component along the Housatonic River.

“How Much Water Quality Change Has Occurred in Candlewood and Other Lakes in New England and How Do We Know?” will be the topic addressed on June 10 by Dr Peter Siver, chairman of environmental studies at Connecticut College.

Integrating scientific expertise with societal needs to address applied ecological problems, Dr Siver will focus on how scientists measure historical changes in water quality and what they have discovered about water quality in Candlewood and other local lakes.

Bruce DiGennaro, a senior planner with Kleinschmidt Energy and Water Resource Consultants, will present “Candlewood Lake: Are We At Recreational Capacity Yet?” on June 17.

Boat ownership in the United States has doubled since 1970. The results of this dramatic increase can be seen on Candlewood Lake, where there are nearly 6,000 resident boats and countless others using the nearly 30 ramps distributed around the lake.

Mr DiGennaro will address recreational capacity in lakes, explain how that capacity is determined, and discuss what other communities have done to address usage issues.

A panel discussion with the opportunity for audience input will conclude the series on June 24. WestConn Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr Christopher Kukk will moderate “What Kind of Candlewood Lake Do We Want For the Next 30 to 50 Years?”

Panelists will include Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection David Leff, Northeast Generation Service Company Station Manager Robert Gates, Candlewood Lake Authority Executive Director Larry Marsicano, Connecticut Bass Federation President Tom Reynolds, and Echo Bay Marina co-owner George Poodiack.

Candlewood Lake is 11 miles long, and covers land in Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, and Sherman. The lake boasts 60 miles of shoreline and contains more than 45 billion gallons of water. Dr Philbrick says more than 6,000 boats can sometimes be found on the lake at one time.

“The human impact on the lake is taking its toll,” Dr Philbrick said. “Home and land use, as well as recreation, are producing significant biological effects on the lake in terms of sediments, nutrients, and water quality. We have to start talking about how to manage this vital resource.

“Part of that involves the need to begin a dialogue about change,” he continued. “We won’t be able to solve the huge problems in this forum, but at least we’ll be able to put the issues out in the open and start talking about them.”

Candlewood Lake Authority Executive Director Larry Marsicano, who planned the series with Dr Philbrick, agreed.

“By and large, the community deeply cares about Candlewood,” he said. “The series ties in with the yearlong celebration of the 75th anniversary of the creation of Candlewood Lake and will provide an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the lake — its history, what’s happening now, and what we need to do to ensure we still have this lake in good condition in the future.”

For more information about the Candlewood Lake lecture series, call Dr Philbrick at 837-8773, Mr Marsicano at 354-6928, or the WestConn Office of Public Relations at 837-8486.