Zebra Mussel Alert
Since finding the first Zebra Mussel this year on May 22, 2020, the Candlewood Lake Authority has been on high alert for their presence in the lake. Searches of the lake over the summer by the authority and teams of citizen scientists turned up nothing until a dock was pulled from the lake last month.
A recent news release from the Candlewood Lake Authority detailed the discovery of the invasive species. In November, while removing a dock from the lake Harry T. Tucker & Sons found “about 6-12 live Zebra Mussels.” The dock, which had been there for 8 years, was taken out of the lake and will not return.
Other withdrawn Candlewood Lake docks haven’t indicated the presence of the mussels at this point in time, according to the release. Efforts to keep tabs on them over the summer also didn’t show “any signs of wide-spread zebra mussel colonization in the lake,” the release read.
“The CLA is planning to visit the location of the discovery during the deep drawdown this winter and comb the shoreline substrate for any signs of colonization, and will continue our expanded monitoring efforts to search for signs of Zebra Mussel colonization, including resuming additional dives to search for mussels this upcoming spring,” the release read.
If anyone observes the mussels, the lake authority requests that people snap a photo and send information about the sighting to science@candlewoodlakeauthority.org.
Candlewood Lake Drawdown 2020
Candlewood Lake’s drawdown will start Dec. 1 and last until the fishing season opens in April. This year will be a deep drawdown meaning the lake will lower from a usual operating range of 429.5 to 427 feet down to a range of 418 to 420 feet. This drawdown also includes Squantz Pond. The goal of the deep drawdown is to freeze the Eurasian watermilfoil and reduce the amount that appears in the summer.
All homeowners are encouraged to remove structures, boatlifts, and docks from the lakes to prevent ice or flood damage during the winter months. All work planned to occur along the shoreline requires prior permitting from FirstLight, who can be contacted at lake.permits@firstlightpower.com.
To stay updated on all the happenings around Candlewood Lake, follow our Facebook page.
