FirstLight Hydro Generating Company, which operates the electric power stations along the Housatonic River, has announced the schedule for its planned drawdowns of Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah, and Candlewood Lake.

FirstLight will lower the water level of Lake Zoar at the Stevenson Dam power station starting on Friday, October 28. Water levels will return to normal by Sunday, November 6.

Starting on Monday, November 7, First Light will start the drawdown of Lake Lillinonah at Shepaug Dam power station. Lake Lillinonah will be returned to its normal water level by Wednesday, November 16.

FirstLight drops the water levels of both lakes annually in the autumn. Drawing down the level of Lake Zoar and Lake Lillinonah allows the public utility to conduct inspections and maintenance on the equipment at the two dams. Also, when the lakes' water levels are lowered, residents who have lake frontage have an opportunity to do work on any lakeside structures, such as walls or docks.

FirstLight plans to start its biennial deep drawdown of Candlewood Lake, including Squantz Pond, at the Rocky River power station on Tuesday, November 1.

Water levels in the lake will be dropped to expose the invasive aquatic plant known as Eurasian water milfoil to freezing temperatures. The drawdown helps to reduce the spread of the plant during the lake's recreational season. FirstLight also will conduct inspections and maintenance work at the Rocky River power station.

Candlewood Lake will return to its normal water level by Saturday, April 8, which is the start of the 2017 trout fishing season.