Lake Zoar
{{Short description|Reservoir in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Lake Zoar
| image = Partially frozen Lake Zoar viewed from the Pomperaug Trail just south of Oxford Connecticut's Jackson Cove Town Park.jpg
| alt = Partially frozen Lake Zoar viewed from the Pomperaug Trail just south of Oxford Connecticut's Jackson Cove Town Park.
| caption = Partially frozen Lake Zoar viewed from the Pomperaug Trail just south of Oxford Connecticut's Jackson Cove Town Park.
| image_bathymetry =
| alt_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Fairfield and New Haven counties, Connecticut
| coords = {{coord|41|23|18|N|73|10|39|W|region:US-CT_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| type = reservoir
| inflow =
| outflow =
| catchment =
| basin_countries =
| agency = Lake Zoar Authority, 'FirstLight Power Resources'
| date-flooded = {{Start date|1919}}
| length = {{Convert|10|mi|km}}
| width =
| area = {{Convert|909|acre|ha}}
| depth = {{Convert|29|ft|m}}
| max-depth = {{Convert|72|ft|m}}
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation =
| frozen =
| islands =
| pushpin_map = Connecticut
| cities =
}}
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=11|id=Q6478599|type=shape|stroke-color=#808080|fill=#808080|fill-opacity=0.0|text=Interactive map of Lake Zoar}}
Lake Zoar is a reservoir on the Housatonic River in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was formed by the completion of the Stevenson Dam, which flooded an area of Oxford and Stevenson named "Pleasantvale" or "Pleasant Vale". {{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/2010/09/12/connecticuts-lakes-reflect-our-history-present/|title=Connecticut's Lakes Reflect Our History, Present|access-date=2018-04-02}} The towns of Monroe, Newtown, Oxford, and Southbury border Lake Zoar.{{cite web|url=http://lakezoarauthority.org/|title=Lake Zoar Authority|website=lakezoarauthority.org|access-date=2 September 2018}} The name Zoar originates from corner of Newtown and Monroe that once called itself Zoar after the Biblical city Zoara near the Dead Sea.{{Cite web|last=Burgeson|first=John|date=2017-09-06|title=Stevenson Dam celebrates 100 years|url=https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Stevenson-Dam-celebrates-100-years-12177827.php|access-date=2021-07-03|website=Connecticut Post|language=en-US}}
Lake Zoar Authority
File:Lake Zoar Authority Logo.jpg
The Lake Zoar Authority (LZA) is an organization for promoting safety on the lake and improving water quality. The members represent the four towns bordering the lake and meet on a monthly basis. Authority is granted through the Connecticut General Statutes, section 7-151a (of the 1969 supplement).{{cite web |url=http://www.southbury-ct.org/content/994/276/411/default.aspx |title=Southbury, Connecticut - Lake Zoar Authority |access-date=2010-08-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724061325/http://southbury-ct.org/content/994/276/411/default.aspx |archive-date=2010-07-24 }}
Notable events
- 1984: Joyce Stochmal, 19, murdered and her body dumped into the lake.{{Cite web|date=2017-03-06|title=After Killer Released from Prison, Victim's Family Turns to State Capitol|url=https://patch.com/connecticut/newtown/after-killer-released-prison-murder-victims-family-turns-state-capital|access-date=2021-07-03|website=Newtown, CT Patch|language=en}}
- November 1986: Richard Crafts murdered his wife Helle Crafts in Newtown, froze the body, cut it up with a chainsaw and finally put it through a woodchipper from a bridge into the lake.{{cite web|date=19 November 2009|title=23 years ago, Richard Crafts was more willing to part with his wife than his money|url=http://www.newstimes.com/local/article/23-years-ago-Richard-Crafts-was-more-willing-to-256633.php|access-date=2 September 2018|website=Newstimes.com}}
- September 7, 2005: A 37-year-old man named Frank Northrop died while water-skiing on the lake.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/Man-dies-water-skiing-on-Lake-Zoar-59231.php|title=Man dies water-skiing on Lake Zoar|date=7 September 2005|website=ctpost.com|access-date=2 September 2018}}
- July 17, 2007: Bonnie Thayer, 64, found dead by a scuba diver due to suicide by drowning after her disappearance in July 2005.{{Cite web|title=Body Of Missing Woman Found In Lake Zoar|url=https://www.newtownbee.com/07272007/body-of-missing-woman-found-in-lake-zoar/|access-date=2021-07-03|website=www.newtownbee.com|language=en-US}}
- July 6, 2011: 6 Easton, Trumbull, and Burlington residents injured in boat crash.{{Cite web|date=2011-07-07|title=6 injured in Lake Zoar boat crash|url=https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/6-injured-in-Lake-Zoar-boat-crash-1455483.php|access-date=2021-07-03|website=Connecticut Post|language=en-US}}
- July 2017: Randall Pineau, 52, hit and killed by a ski boat.{{Cite web|date=2017-07-12|title=Sandy Hook Man, 52, Killed In Boat Collision On Lake Zoar|url=https://dailyvoice.com/connecticut/newtown/police-fire/sandy-hook-man-52-killed-in-boat-collision-on-lake-zoar/716424/|access-date=2021-07-03|website=Newtown Daily Voice|language=en}}
Recreation
=Boating=
There is a speed limit of {{convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} limit daytime, {{convert|25|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Vessels are prohibited from approaching within {{convert|300|ft|m}} on upstream side or {{convert|700|ft|m}} on downstream side of Stevenson Dam.{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2686&q=384044&depNav_GID=1620 |title=Lake Zoar Boat Launch Southbury |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection |access-date=February 9, 2015}} Activities including fishing, water-skiing and jet skiing are permitted.
==Access==
Each of the towns has a public access boat launch. The Southbury location is maintained by the state of Connecticut and is open to non-town residents. Additionally, there is canoe access from Kettletown State Park.
- Monroe, Zoar Beach Boat Ramp.{{Cite web |url=http://borntoexplore.org/river/attractions.htm |title=Parks & Attractions |access-date=2010-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805020706/http://www.borntoexplore.org/river/attractions.htm |archive-date=2010-08-05 |url-status=dead }}
- Newtown, Eichler's Cove.{{cite web|url=http://www.newtown-ct.gov/public_documents/NewtownCT_Park/Rules%26Regs%202009.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721054503/http://www.newtown-ct.gov/public_documents/NewtownCT_Park/Rules%26Regs%202009.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 July 2011|title=TOWN OF NEWTOWN : PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION|access-date=2 September 2018}}
- Oxford, Jackson Cove Park.{{Cite web |url=http://www.oxford-ct.gov/Section/Town_Government/Departments/Park_%26_Rec/index.html |title=Park & Rec | Town of Oxford, Connecticut Section / Town Government / Departments / Park & Rec |access-date=2010-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720193551/http://www.oxford-ct.gov/Section/Town_Government/Departments/Park_%26_Rec/index.html |archive-date=2011-07-20 |url-status=dead }}
- Southbury, at the end of Scout Road.
=Sand Bar=
The Sand Bar is an accumulation of sand close to the center of Lake Zoar. It is a popular meeting destination for all boaters alike. The depth of the water above the sand bar varies upon the generation schedule of "First Light Hydro Generation." The depth varies from 6 inches of water at its most shallow point to a foot before receiving. The area stretches about a quarter.{{clarify|date= January 2020}}
=Fishing=
Lake Zoar is not stocked yearly with fish by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, but the Pootatuck and Pomperaug rivers feed into it are heavily stocked with trout, many of which eventually make their way into the lake.
==Fish species==
The lake contains the desirable Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, White Perch, Yellow Perch, Calico Bass (Black Crappie), White Catfish (Ictalurus catus), Brown Bullhead, Rainbow Trout, and the Common Carp.
==PCBs and fish consumption==
Until the chemical was banned in the 70s, the Pittsfield, Mass. General Electric Factory routinely dumped PCBs into the Housatonic. Trout, catfish, eel, carp, or northern pike from Lake Zoar are unsafe for consumption while yellow perch, calico bass, rock bass, bluegill, and sunfish can be eaten sparingly and bass should be avoided by high-risk groups.{{Cite web|date=2021|title=If I Catch It, Can I Eat It? A Guide to Eating Fish Safely 2021 Connecticut Fish Consumption Advisory|url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/eoha/Fish_/If-I-Catch-It-Can-I-Eat-It--Final-English_2021.pdf|access-date=2021-07-03|website=CT.gov}} In a 2008 study by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Smallmouth Bass varied between 0.35 and 0.58 ppm, suitable for one meal per month. PCB levels in the lake have fallen considerably since the 1980s.{{cite web|url=http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/pha/HousatonicRiver2008/HousatonicRiverHC070808.pdf|title=Health Consultation: Public Health Evaluation of Fish Contaminant Data in the Housatonic River: LAKE ZOAR, LAKE LILLINONAH, WEST CORNWALL, AND BULL'S BRIDGE IN KENT, CONNECTICUT|website=Atsdr.cdc.gov|access-date=2 September 2018}}
==Invasive species==
Four invasive plant species exist in the lake as of a 2007 study, including Eurasian watermilfoil, Brittle waternymph, Curly leaf pondweed, and European waterclover.{{cite web|url=http://www.friendsofthelake.org/downloads/FOTL-20071201-BUGBEEETAL.pdf|title=Invasive Plant Species|website=Friendsofthelake.org|access-date=2 September 2018}}
As with all the Housatonic River impoundments south of Bulls Bridge, Zebra Mussels have invaded and colonized Lake Zoar.{{cite web|url=http://www.lakescientist.com/zebra-mussels-found-in-two-critical-connecticut-lakes/|title=Zebra mussels found in two critical Connecticut lakes - Lake Scientist|date=18 October 2010|website=Lakescientist.com|access-date=2 September 2018}}
=Hiking=
The Zoar Trail is a {{convert|6.5|mi|km|adj=on}} Blue-Blazed Trail in Newtown maintained by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Housatonic River Watershed}}
{{Connecticut canals and reservoirs}}
{{Connecticut lakes and ponds}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Southbury, Connecticut
Category:Protected areas of Fairfield County, Connecticut