Candlewood Lake is a man‑made reservoir located primarily in the towns of New Fairfield, Brookfield, Danbury, and Sherman in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is the largest lake entirely within Connecticut’s borders.
Origin and development
The lake was created between 1926 and 1928 by the Connecticut Light and Power Company (now Eversource Energy). Construction of the Candlewood Dam on the Rocky River, together with the impoundment of several smaller ponds and streams, flooded a valley at the foot of the Housatonic River watershed, forming the reservoir for hydroelectric generation and water‑storage purposes. The reservoir remains part of the company’s hydroelectric system, with water releases feeding the Housatonic River downstream of the dam.
Physical characteristics
| Parameter | Approximate value |
|---|---|
| Surface area | 1,549 acres (≈ 6.3 km²) |
| Length | ~14 mi (≈ 22.5 km) |
| Maximum width | ~2 mi (≈ 3.2 km) |
| Shoreline length | ~45 mi (≈ 72 km) |
| Mean depth | ~30 ft (≈ 9 m) |
| Maximum depth | ~106 ft (≈ 32 m) |
| Elevation (normal pool) | ~436 ft (≈ 133 m) above sea level |
| Water volume | ~67 billion US gal (≈ 253 million m³) |
Uses and activities
The lake is a major recreational resource, supporting boating, sailing, fishing, swimming, and watersports. It is stocked with a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, trout, perch, and alewife, and is a popular location for both private anglers and organized tournaments. Residential development surrounds much of the shoreline; the area includes numerous private homes, seasonal cottages, and several summer camps. The Candlewood Lake Association and other local groups manage community affairs, environmental stewardship, and public‑access facilities.
Ecology and environmental management
Candlewood Lake exhibits typical stratification patterns for mid‑latitude reservoirs, with a thermocline forming during the summer months. Water quality is monitored by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and is generally classified as “good,” though the lake has experienced issues common to many temperate reservoirs, such as invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and periodic algal blooms. Resource management, including water‑level regulation and shoreline development controls, is coordinated between Eversource Energy, the DEEP, and local municipalities.
Governance
The reservoir’s water level is operated by Eversource Energy under a license issued by the Connecticut DEEP, which sets conditions for flow releases, environmental protection, and public safety. Shoreline land is predominantly privately owned, with a minority of public access points maintained by town governments.
Etymology
The name “Candlewood” derives from the historic Candlewood estate that occupied part of the valley prior to inundation. The estate’s name is thought to reference the Candlewood region’s early colonial-era forests and landholdings.
References
Information compiled from publicly available records of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Eversource Energy historical documentation, and published geographic data on Connecticut’s water bodies.