10/3/2014 - FirstLight Announces Annual Drawdowns
FirstLight Annual Drawdowns of Candlewood Lake, Lake Lillinonah, and Lake Zoar
Lower than Normal Water Levels to Begin November 1
Candlewood Lake
FirstLight Hydro Generating Company (FirstLight), the owner and operator of the Rocky River hydroelectric power station, will begin its annual deep drawdown of Candlewood Lake on November 1, 2014. Water levels will drop to an elevation of 418’, which is 10’ lower than the normal summer recreational level to expose invasive Eurasian Water Milfoil to frost and eradicate it. This is an effort to mitigate the invasive species, which has become an increasing threat to our local waterways. Water levels will begin to return to normal summer elevation on or about April 20, 2015.
Lake Zoar
FirstLight, the owner and operator of the Stevenson Dam hydroelectric power station will drawdown Lake Zoar for 9 days beginning on November 1. Water levels will drop by 5’ to an elevation of 98’ and return to a normal elevation of 103’ on November 9.
Lake Lillinonah
Beginning on November 10 FirstLight will begin its annual drawdown of Lake Lillinonah at the Shepaug Dam power station to conduct maintenance and inspection activities. The drawdown will lower lake levels by 10’ to an elevation of 190’ for 7 days, returning to a normal elevation of 200’ on November 16.
The lower water level will allow homeowners an opportunity to work on existing seawalls and docks, and to remove debris along the shoreline with the appropriate permits available through FirstLight. Information on the permitting process can be obtained by contacting FirstLight at 860-350-3294. Please note that this schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions or FirstLight’s need to generate electricity.
FirstLight is a subsidiary of GDF SUEZ Energy North America, which manages a range of energy businesses in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution and sales, and retail energy sales and related services to commercial and industrial customers. GDF SUEZ Energy North America is a part of the international energy group GDF SUEZ. For more information, please visit www.gdfsuezna.com.