Squantz Pond State Park

Squantz Pond State Park is located approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of Danbury, Connecticut in the towns of Sherman and New Fairfield, in Fairfield County. It is part of Candlewood Lake but is separated from the main body of the lake by Route 39. Squantz Pond is natural in origin; however, its level was raised when Candlewood Lake was impounded in 1923. The lake has a surface area of approximately 288 acres (1.2 km²), a maximum depth of 47 feet (14 m), an average depth of 22.9 feet (7 m), and holds approximately 2 billion US gallons (7,600,000 m³) of water.

The shoreline bottom materials consist mostly of rocks, ledge, and gravel. Mud and organic muck cover the relatively flat areas of the bottom. The lake is fed by Glen Brook from the north, Worden Brook from the west, and several small unnamed streams.

The watershed of Squantz Pond is 3,635 acres (15 km²). Woodlands, wetlands, and water comprise approximately 80 percent of the watershed, 15 percent is moderate to low-density housing, while the remaining 5 percent is open land and farm land.

The eastern shoreline is developed with homes, while the western shoreline is steep and wooded. The southwestern shoreline borders Squantz Pond State Park. Facilities in the park include concession stands, picnic areas, beach and swimming areas, toilets, and hiking trails.

Public access to Squantz Pond is provided through a state owned boat launch located in the State Park. Boats launched from the State Park are limited to a maximum of 7.5 horsepower (6 kW). The launch can be reached by taking Interstate 84, Exit 5 to Route 37 north, to Route 39 north to the State Park entrance.

The launch has a ramp of concrete pads with an asphalt approach. There is parking for 25 cars at the launch.

An aquatic survey of Squantz Pond was published in 1988. The survey found aquatic vegetation in Squantz Pond to be sparse and limited to the shallower areas in the northern section. Species observed included Bushy pondweed (Najas flexilis, Najas minor), Bulrush (Scirpus sp.), and cattail (Typha sp.)

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection periodically stocks both brown and rainbow trout in Squantz Pond. Other species found in the lake include Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Walleye, and Chain Pickerel.

The current Connecticut Angler's Guide has specific fish consumption advisory information, as well as, the most recent rules governing sport fishing.

SOURCE - Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Copyright 1998-2004

Read more about Squantz Pond State Park:  History, Fish Species, Water Quality, State Park Information, Trails, Drownings At The Park, The Rocks - Homemade Jumping Videos, Squantz Pond in The News

Famous quotes containing the words pond, state and/or park:

    This pond never breaks up so soon as the others in this neighborhood, on account both of its greater depth and its having no stream passing through it to melt or wear away the ice.... It indicates better than any water hereabouts the absolute progress of the season, being least affected by transient changes of temperature. A severe cold of a few days’ duration in March may very much retard the opening of the former ponds, while the temperature of Walden increases almost uninterruptedly.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    The state is a creation of nature and man is by nature a political animal.
    Aristotle (384–323 B.C.)

    The park is filled with night and fog,
    The veils are drawn about the world,
    Sara Teasdale (1884–1933)