As per new state regulations, the Lake Drawdown will now be done November 1 and in the future.

During an early morning November 1 snowfall, the incremental drawdown of Lake Garfield began at the dam located at Brewer Pond and is planned to reach completion by December 1. Sheldon Langley is shown at the right manually opening the gate to release lake water while Pete Wilson measures the amount of water flowing through the gate. An automated monitoring device provided by the Friends of Lake Garfield also helps to control the volume of water released by constantly measuring the height of the water passing through the gate to achieve a less-than-six-foot drop in the lake.

As stated by Jim Hunt, Director of Operations, “the primary purpose of the drawdown of Lake Garfield is to prevent flooding” of properties around the lake and downstream along the Konkapot River. The secondary benefit is to improve the recreational use and overall health of the lake by exposing invasive aquatic weeds to freezing winter temperatures. As luck may have it, unexpected events can lead to a temporary slowing of discharge from Lake Garfield. For the past two years, beavers have built obstructions to the outflow of water which in turn requires additional maintenance to continue the drawdown. Not to worry—Jim and his dedicated crew have the situation well in hand.

Presented by the Lake Garfield Working Group. — Dennis Lynch Lake Garfield Working Group