Water Levels In Massive CT Reservoir Way Up A Year After Drought

TOLLAND, CT — With record rainfall this summer, the water level at the massive Shenipsit Lake reservoir stands in sharp contrast to a year ago, when the regional was essentially on a drought watch throughout the warmer months.

Shenipsit Lake, the primary reservoir in the region, sits in parts of Tolland, Vernon and Ellington and has a capacity of 5 billion gallons. The potable water operation is overseen by Connecticut Water Co.

Connecticut Water officials said that, as of Tuesday, the water level in the reservoir was about half-a-foot below the dam's spillway.

At the same time last year, the water level was about 3.5 feet below the spillway, officials for the utility said.

"The increased level reflects the rainy July and August we have had in the area," Connecticut Water spokesman Daniel Meaney said.

Connecticut Water does monitor reservoir levels and typically begins intentionally lowering reservoir levels in July in preparation for larger rain events, especially those associated with hurricanes and tropical storms, Meaney said.

"The balance is in getting the reservoir levels right so that we are not releasing too much too soon, so that we can have adequate water supply should the end of the summer or the fall turn out to be very dry, but able to absorb a large storm event or two should they come along.," he added "That said, we continue to evaluate all factors when making reservoir releases."

The area was expected to get up to 4 inches or rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ida Wednesday into Thursday.