Emergency Contacts
  • Lake Emergencies: 911
  • Report Boating Accidents: CT DEP 860-434-8638
  • Call for FirstLight Power’s water level recording 888-417-4837 Menu Item 2, then 2
  • Lake Emergencies: 911
  • Report Boating Accidents: CT DEP 860-434-8638
  • Call for FirstLight Power’s water level recording 888-417-4837 Menu Item 2, then 2

Help Preserve
Lake Lillinonah

Friends of the Lake is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and to improving majestic Lake Lillinonah so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

about us

Currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, Friends of the Lake is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to improve Lake Lillinonah for the recreational enjoyment for those who use it, to improve its water quality to the standards set forth in the Clean Water Act, and for the long-term environmental protection of this beautiful section of the Housatonic River and its watershed.

20

20

years of operation

293

293

active members

Saturday, June 3rd, 2023

2023 SAVE THE LAKE DAY!

Gather at 8AM at the Bridgewater Boat Ramp! Volunteers will be shuttled by pontoon boats, circling Lake Lillinonah’s shorelines to collect man-made trash and debris. Coffee, water, donuts, gloves, and garbage bags will be provided to all volunteers. Don’t forget sunscreen, hats, and waterproof shoes! The day will end around 12:30PM with pizza and refreshments.

Saturday, July 29th, 2023

2023 LAKE FAMILY BBQ

Our lake community this summer will come together at Newtown’s Lake Lillinonah Town Park at 194 Hanover Road, for a good old-fashioned BBQ of burgers, hot dogs, and chicken with all the fixings and sides. Please join us for a great opportunity to reconnect with some old friends and meet new ones. More details will be forthcoming via email as we get closer.

Thursday, August 10th, 2023

20th ANNIVERSARY POTLUCK DINNER

Back for its 20th year, this is the event of the season that all members look forward to! The executive committee and surrounding partners prepare informative updates for the membership to highlight the progress and continued efforts of this and other organizations to help the lake.

Jeff Tinley Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in loving memory of our dear friend and neighbor, founding member and board member Jeffrey Tinley, Esq.

As a key member of Friends of the Lake, Jeff put his legal expertise to work on our behalf to help clean up the lake and to keep it clean for future generations.

Jeff was a member of the Connecticut Bar Association; he served on the Professional Discipline Executive Committee. He was generous with his time and talents and enjoyed taking on pro bono cases, serving as town attorney for Southbury and advocating for environmental preservation.

In one of his more notable battles, Jeff worked to get the discharge of phosphorus and nitrogen at the Danbury Wastewater Treatment Plant reduced. Jeff's efforts led Danbury to pay a $100,000 fine and take measures to ensure that the city properly operates and maintains its sewage collection and treatment system to prevent further discharges of untreated wastewater into the Limekiln Brook and the Still River. As a result of these efforts CT DEEP subsequently designated these areas as "priority waterbodies" resulting in extra effort and focus on cleaning them up.

A $1,500.00 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior/college/grad student studying at a two- to four-year accredited institution. The student must demonstrate an interest in a field of study related to law or environmental sciences.

Students must be a child or dependent of a current member of Friends of the Lake. Applicants must apply by June 1. The scholarship winner will be announced during the Friends of the Lake anniversary meeting each August.

LIVE LAKE DATA

NA

The Friends of the Lake buoy and weather station provide live updates on the health of Lake Lillinonah every 15 minutes.

EXTREME CAUTION

0.0
Safe for all users
Caution
Unsafe for boating

News & Announcements

Stay current with the latest news and happenings around the lake.

2021 Fall Drawdown

Friends of the lake is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to improve Lake Lillinonah for the recreational enjoyment for those who use it, to improve its water quality to the standards set

Heartbreaking News

With heavy hearts and tears in our eyes we inform you of the passing of Jeff Tinley. A great friend, Friends of the Lake board member and tremendous human being, “JT” was a man of exceptional character and intellect.

Low Water Alert

This message about changing water levels on Lake Lillinonah is brought to you by Lake Lillinonah Authority, Friends of the Lake, and FirstLight Power. Due to forecasted high river flows, we are lowering Lake Lillinonah starting at 8pm, Friday July 16th.

HOW CAN YOU
SUPPORT US?

Help us preserve and protect Lake Lillinonah for generations to come. Every member adds a voice to our cause of protecting this great natural resource.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Lake Emergencies

911

Report Boating Accidents

CT DEP 860-434-8638

Call for FirstLight Power’s Water Level Recording

888-417-4837 Menu Item 2, then 2

Annual Newsletters