Shenipsit Lake Rec Program Starting With Coronavirus Restrictions

TOLLAND, CT — Connecticut Water Co. on Friday announced that the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir Recreation Program is being modified to keep it going while following coronavirus protocol.

The recreation program is slated to open for its 26th season on Saturday with shoreline fishing and hiking.

Fishing from boats and the storage of boats at the boat storage area is temporarily suspended.

The Shenipsit Lake Reservoir is located in the towns of Ellington, Tolland, and Vernon. It's a water supply source for Connecticut Water customers in north-central Connecticut. Connecticut

Water has a permit from the Connecticut Department of Public Health that allows recreation at
the reservoir with conditions to "safeguard the purity of the water."

The health department has approved the program with modifications for this season, utiluty officials said.

Following Governor Lamont’s executive order to "Stay Safe, Stay Home" and the recommendations of federal and state health officials to avoid non-essential work and expectations on social distancing to mitigate the spread of the virus in the community, the company decided it could not allow the boating program this season because it could "risk the health and safety of the lake monitors, company employees, and the community during this pandemic."

The Connecticut Water officials met with the DPH and officials in Ellington, Tolland and Vernon before moving forward with this season’s modified program and it was agreed that, while there will not be full time lake monitors on site for the boating program, the company will provide a periodic presence on a daily basis to observe activities and conditions at the reservoir and report any issues that could adversely impact the water supply.

The new permit also calls for the company to meet with local leaders on a monthly basis starting May 1 to review the activities, consider guidance on the virus from the Centers for Disease Control and state and local officials, and determine if the boating program should be reinstated this season.

Swimming and wading in thethe reservoir or tributaries are probibited.

The Shenipsit Lake Reservoir recreation program is fully funded by Connecticut Water.

For more information about the program, including the location of designated shoreline fishing areas and the status of the boating portion of the fishing program, see: https://www.ctwater.com/community/serving-communities.