Lillinonah ‘Save The Lake’ Cleanup Set For June 4

On June 4, concerned citizens and those interested in the environment will be found along the shores and in the waters of Lake Lillinonah trying to make a difference by cleaning up the lake area, looking for that unusual find. There will even be prizes for the “weirdest find-of-the-day.”

Friends of the Lake, a nonprofit group of citizens who want to encourage the continued protection of Lake Lillinonah’s natural beauty and wildlife is behind the “Save the Lake Day.”

The event was started to build a stronger lake community and bring more awareness to the needs of Lake Lillinonah. Neighbors, friends, anglers, and lake enthusiasts will be coming together to collect the garbage and debris along the shores and in the lake via boats or walking the shoreline. Friends of the Lake member Kathy Berg said, “Our goal with Save the Lake Day is to increase public awareness, foster stewardship, and solicit additional funding, all while having a little fun and fellowship around this beautiful lake of ours.”

Ms Berg heads up the committee organizing the event and is gathering support of sponsors and volunteers.

Volunteers with or without boats will meet at the central depository for all the collected garbage and debris at the boat launch located next to the Bridgewater Bridge off Route 133. Volunteers who own or have access to pontoon boats are especially needed.

The event starts at 9 am with coffee and doughnuts and will conclude by 1 pm with pizza and beverages being served for all participants. Ms Berg advised that in addition to the “weirdest find,” donated prizes will be awarded to the person, teams, and organizations that collect the most garbage and debris. In addition, T-shirts will be given to the Friends of the Lake member volunteers or those who sign up as members at the event.

Northeast Generating Company controls the lake levels and as the level comes up, it floats the debris. On Sundays in the summer, the lake is barely usable because of the debris. “They pond the water behind the dam to release it for generating electricity Monday morning,” said George Walker, Friends of the Lake executive board member. The debris then cuts back on water sports such as boating and water skiing because of the likelihood of hitting a log. This year Friends of the Lake is excited about the power company commencing a Debris Management Program to clean up floating debris. “The Debris Management Program should have a very positive impact on the future cleanliness of the lake,” Mr Walker added.

Lake Lillinonah extends 12 miles from the Housatonic River in New Milford to the Shepaug Dam, covering 1,900 acres to a maximum depth of 110 feet with 45 miles of shoreline, much of it picturesque hillside that rises 200 feet or more above the water line.

Connecticut Light and Power created Lake Lillinonah in 1955 as a source of hydroelectricity and flood control. The dam’s 57,000-horsepower turbine drives a 43,000-kilowatt generator in what is Connecticut’s newest and largest hydroelectric plant. Lake Lillinonah borders the towns of Bridgewater, Brookfield, New Milford, Newtown, Southbury, and Roxbury.

Anyone interested in learning more or volunteering, visit the website at www.savingthelake.org, email info@savingthelake.org or call 860-210-8064.