At the July 12, Candlewood Lake Authority (CLA) meeting, Director of Ecology and Education Dr. Neil Stalter explained, “We have spent a lot of time putting the exclosures in the lake this month. So, those are the structures that are preventing the fish from entering certain are as of the water and protecting the plants in those areas. There are five in the lake and they all have a hazard buoy next to them and a sign explaining what they are. “People seem to be mostly leaving them alone, which is good,” he said. He went on to say, “We haven’t seen any growth inside of them yet, but we’re going to keep a close eye.” WestConn students are also monitoring the exclosures with  underwater cameras.

Regarding the lack of plant growth, Stalter says he plans to write a comprehensive guide that details the overall strategy to bring the plant community back into balance in Candlewood Lake. It will state the goals for what the ideal plant community looks like, both for the ecosystem and for recreation. When asked about how best to encourage native species to grow, Stalter was frank that milfoil has outcompeted native plants for so long that it would be tough. For some of the exclosures he “tried to choose locations where there had been native species in the past. So, that was a priority.”

Stalter noted, “we were notified by DEEP that they have a new program to basically have volunteer anglers register to remove up to 200 of the grass carp total, at which point they’ll end the program for the summer.” He explained that the number sounds like a lot, but that it is only about 2% of the amount that was originally stocked. As carp do not go for typical bait or lures, it will be interesting to watch the process and see what success anglers have.

The CLA plans to roll out new signage for all the public boat launches. The new signs were described as “fancy” and eye-catching. They are intended to reflect the new reality of the lake, where mussels have been spotted, and are “a little less wordy and a little more visual.”

Mr. Bill Lohan explained in the Treasurer’s Report that the preliminary fiscal year 2023 financials show a surplus of approximately $25,000. The main reason, he explained, is that they exceeded expected donations. “All committees did a great job to end the year,” he said. The CLA transferred $15,000 to the Lake Management Plan restricted from Engineering—the purpose of this is to pay for water testing. He explained, they “thought that this would be a good opportunity to transfer those funds over so we can use them in the next fiscal year.” They also voted to move $50,000 to the capital improvement plan “in anticipation of expenses.”

The CLA’s Marine Patrol has had a lighter-than-average season with many rainy days. Chief Mr. Nick Mellas said, “Everything’s going pretty well, we are seven weeks in…we have had 800 man hours so far on the lake.” There were 470 contacts so far, one medical call, and ten vessel tows, with no major issues or concerns at this time. 

Stalter explained the lake stewards were out for almost every peak boating day, including the Fourth of July. Given the weather, “they have not gotten nearly as many inspections as they have in the past because some of the days they have been out have not been the best weather days. But even so, they’ve been out most weekend days and are having a good season so far. So, that is good.”

Stalter said there is a probe with a minor break that he is attempting to fix and is working wi th the manufacturer to receive the correct structural replacement piece. However, he said, “we were able to get the probe in a usable shape, so there is no interruption.”

E Coli testing began in the lake and the New Fairfield Senior Center seniors are among those completing the testing. WestConn’s Dr. Huang is also completing weekly blue-green algae testing.

The next regular Candlewood Lake Authority meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 9, 7:00 p.m.