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

News & Announcements

Join us in preserving and protecting this great natural resource. Each member who joins Friends of the Lake is another voice. The more voices we have, the stronger we are. Together we can improve the water quality and debris problems for generations to come.

2023

2023 SAVE THE LAKE DAY!

Date: Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 Location: Bridgewater Boat Launch, Route 133, Bridgewater, CT 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! …

2023 LAKE FAMILY BBQ

Date: Saturday, July 29th, 2023 Location: Lake Lillinonah Town Park, 194 Hanover Road, Newtown, CT 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 …

20th ANNIVERSARY POTLUCK DINNER

Date: Thursday, August 10th, 2023 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.

2022

DEBRIS SURVEY

Date: Week of September 15th Summary: We plan to retain the services of Connwood Foresters again this year to measure and compile the annual debris survey. We will need several volunteers to help the effort. It’s this consistent documentation that allows us to have a history of surveys that shows the amount of debris in …

LAKE LILLINONAH HEALTH UPDATE & MEMBERS COCKTAIL PARTY

Date: Thursday August 11th 2022 Location: Camp Silverman Summary: Back for its 19th 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.

2022 SAVE THE LAKE DAY!

Please join us for Save the Lake Day on Saturday, June 4, from 8:30AM until 12:30PM at the State Boat Launch on route 133 in Bridgewater, CT. This year we will return to the normal collection of man-made debris that has built up along the shoreline of Lake Lillinonah. Volunteers will meet at the route …

2021

2021 Fall Drawdown begins

Beginning on October 27, 2021 FirstLight will conduct a drawdown of Lake Lillinonah at the Shepaug Dam to conduct its maintenance and inspection activities. The normal summer operating range of the station is from 200’-195.5’ and the drawdown will target an elevation of 191’. The drawdown will lower lake levels to minimum pond levels and …

Firstlight Power: Registration of Historic Use

Friends of the Lake, Earlier this year, Firstlight Power distributed a letter via US mail to inform that if you currently have shoreline and/or land uses along the shores of Lake Lillinonah, it requires approval. It included instructions necessary to register your existing uses and obtain a Certificate of Permission from FirstLight, which either owns …

Heartbreaking News: Jeff Tinley

Dear Friends of the Lake: 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. Though soft-spoken, he had the ability to light up a room …

DEEP and DPH Advise Against Swimming or Other Water Contact Recreation Over Next 48 Hours Due to Storm Ida’s Impact

(HARTFORD)— Given the significant rainfall that has occurred due to Storm Ida, many areas across the state have experienced discharges of untreated sewage. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) are advising against direct contact with surface water in areas in close proximity to drainage …

Lowering Lake Lillinonah due to Hurricane Henri and forecasted river flows

This message about changing water levels on Lake Lillinonah is brought to you by Lake Lillinonah Authority, Friends of the lake, and First Light Power Resources. Due to forecasted high river flows, We are lowering Lake Lillinonah starting tomorrow morning. The approximate pond level the lake will be taken to will be 192.0. This is …

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. The approximate pond level the lake will be taken to will be 190.0’. This …

Annual Newsletters