Squantz Pond
Squantz Pond from the southern shore
Squantz Pond is located in Connecticut
Squantz Pond
Squantz Pond
LocationNew Fairfield, Connecticut
Coordinates41°31′N 73°29′W / 41.52°N 73.48°W / 41.52; -73.48
Surface area288 acres (117 ha)[1]
Average depth22.9 ft (7.0 m)[1]
Max. depth47 ft (14 m)[1]
Water volume2,228,000,000 US gal (8.43×109 L; 1.855×109 imp gal)[1]
Map
Interactive map of Squantz Pond

Squantz Pond is a 288-acre lake in Fairfield County, Connecticut. It is located on the town line of Sherman and New Fairfield, and is bordered by manmade Candlewood Lake.[1] The south shore is protected as Squantz Pond State Park (established in 1926), and is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.[2] The pond is named for Chief Squantz, a leader of the Schaghticoke tribe.[3]

Characteristics

NASA satellite photo of Squantz Pond

Before 1929, Squantz Pond was recorded to be 65 acres (26 ha) in area. However, the 1921 discovery of a 22 foot-long canoe at the bottom of the lake lead historians to speculate that it was once a larger body of water.[3]

After the creation of Candlewood Lake in 1929, the size and depth of Squantz Pond increased.[1] It was one of four ponds that formed the larger lake basin, including Barse Pond, Creek Pond, and Neversink Pond. Squantz Pond is now separated from the rest of Candlewood Lake by a causeway.[3]

The watershed of Squantz Pond is 3,667 acres (1,484 ha), much of which is undeveloped. Lake Mauweehoo is located in the watershed. Squantz Pond is fed by Glen Brook.[1] In 1980, it was classified as being a mesotrophic lake.[1]

Ecology

Squantz Pond is home to a diverse variety of fish. Common species include yellow perch, white perch, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, banded killifish, spottail shiner, rock bass, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Rarer species found in Squantz Pond include smallmouth bass, black crappie, black bullhead, and golden shiner. The lake is stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout.[1] Alewives were introduced by 1973.[1]

Aquatic plant communities have historically included Ceratophyllum, Vallisneria, and Potamogeton.[1] A 2011 study found 11 species within Squantz Pond, including native coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), western waterweed (Elodea nuttallii), and slender naiad (Najas flexilis). Two invasive species, Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and minor naiad (Najas minor), were also found.[4]

Shallow water communities include plants such as waterwort (Elatine), spikerush (Eleocharis), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus), bur-reed (Sparganium), and cattail (Typha).[4]

Sterile grass carp were released into the lake in 2017 to combat the spread of the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil. By 2019, the lake had lost almost all of its vegetation.[5] Although reports have not confirmed a correlation, it has been theorized that the carp have consumed all accessible plants.[6]

Recreation

Squantz Pond State Park covers 172 acres of the southwestern shore of the lake. The park offers swimming, fishing, and scuba diving, and motorized boating.[7] Cliff jumping into the lake is outlawed.[8]

Blue-green algae blooms are frequent, and it is common for water quality issues to close the lake to swimmers.[9][10][11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Environmental Review Team Report - Squantz Pond" (PDF). King's Mark Environmental Review Team Report. King's Mark Resource & Development Area. June 1983. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Squantz Pond State Park--Overview". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Candlewood Lake". candlewoodlakeauthority.org. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Squantz Pond 2011". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  5. ^ Koerting, Katrina (1 October 2019). "Lakes still want grass carp despite risks". NewsTimes. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  6. ^ Baker, Kendra (14 July 2022). "Candlewood Lake has 'virtually zero plants' this year — a 'bizarre' change that's puzzled experts". CT Insider. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Squantz Pond State Park--Activities". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  8. ^ "State outlaws cliff diving at Squantz Pond". NewsTimes. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Algae Forces State To Shut Squantz Pond Beach". Hartford Courant. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Beach at Squantz Pond Closed for Swimming". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  11. ^ Baker, Kendra (29 June 2022). "Swimming at Squantz Pond in New Fairfield closed due to poor water quality". NewsTimes. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
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