May 19, 2005 |
2005-R-0480 | |
LAKES, RESERVOIRS, AND PLANS OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT | ||
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By: Joseph Holstead, Research Analyst | ||
You asked for a list of towns with lakes or reservoirs with a surface area greater than 500 acres and if those towns have an updated master plan (i. e. plan of conservation and development).
We have identified 14 bodies of water from a list provided by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with “lake” or “reservoir” in their name that have a surface area greater than 500 acres. We have attached a copy of the DEP list and another DEP document listing the towns on the bodies of water. Table 1 below shows the bodies of water, towns on those bodies of water, and status of the towns’ master plans.
Table 1: Lakes 500 Acres or Greater, Towns, and Master Plan Status
*Lake or Reservoir |
*U. S. Geological Survey Acres (lake size in acres) |
*Town(s) |
**Updated Master Plan |
Lake Candlewood |
5086 |
Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, and Sherman |
Yes for all |
Barkhamsted Reservoir |
2240 |
Barkhamsted and Hartland |
Barkhamsted: Yes Hartland: No, but update in progress |
Lake Lillinonah |
1595 |
Bridgewater, Brookfield, New Milford, Newtown, Roxbury, and Southbury |
Yes for all |
Lake Gaillard |
1091 |
North Branford |
No, update in progress |
Bantam Lake |
955 |
Torrington |
Yes |
Lake Zoar |
920 |
Monroe, Newtown, Oxford, and Southbury |
Yes for all, except unknown for Monroe |
Nepaug Reservoir |
834 |
Easton, Redding, and Weston |
Easton: No, but an update is in progress Redding and Weston: Yes |
Saugatuck Reservoir |
823 |
Burlington, Canton, and New Hartford |
Yes for all |
Colebrook River Lake |
676 |
Colebrook |
Unknown |
Lake Waramaug |
641 |
Kent, Warren, and Washington |
Yes for all |
Washining Lake |
565 |
Salisbury |
Yes |
Gardner Lake |
527 |
Salem, Montville, and Bozrah |
Yes for all |
Shenipsit Lake |
512 |
Ellington, Tolland, and Vernon |
Yes for all |
Pocotopaug Lake |
502 |
East Hampton |
No, update in progress |
Sources: *Department of Environmental Protection and **Town websites, clerks, or planning, zoning, and conservation offices
The law, PA 04-248 (or the “lake law”), bars a municipality, under its zoning regulations, from authorizing the construction of structures, accessory structures, and other improvements having a total area of more than 12,000 square feet if the development is within 2,000 feet of a lake, but excluded reservoirs, larger than 500 acres. The legislature enacted the lake law in May 2004, retroactive to April 1, 2004 and it is codified at CGS § 8-2k.
Regarding towns’ plans of conservation and development, the law requires towns to prepare or amend their plans at least once every 10 years. After adoption, towns must regularly review and maintain the plan (CGS § 8-23).
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