Shenipsit Lake Recreation Program Opens Saturday, April 18

Boat Storage Slips Available April 15 and 16

CLINTON, CONNECTICUT, March 26, 2009 – The Connecticut Water Company and the Shenipsit Lake Association (SLA) announce that boats will be accepted at the Lake Shenipsit boat storage area located on Ellington Road in Tolland between 6 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, for those who wish to use their boats in the Shenipsit Lake Recreation program this season.  There are 48 boat storage slips available at the lake and boats can be stored free-of-charge on a first-come, first-serve basis.   Please note that all boats must be quarantined for at least 48 hours before being allowed onto the lake to prevent the potential introduction of Zebra Mussels to the lake.  The Shenipsit Lake Reservoir Recreation Program will officially open on Saturday, April 18.

Located in Ellington, Vernon and Tolland, the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir is a public water supply source that has been opened for the Department of Public Health approved Recreation Program since 1994.  It includes a year-round hiking trail around the lake in cooperation with the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.  Fishing is allowed from designated shoreline areas and from electric and oar-powered boats from the third Saturday in April through October 31. 

 “We are pleased to once again provide this popular recreation program with the Shenipsit Lake Association for all Connecticut residents to enjoy,” said Eric W. Thornburg, Connecticut Water’s president and CEO. “It is an important part of our commitment to the environment, and the community.”

The SLA has scheduled free fishing derbies for children this season in the age categories of 8 years and under, and ages 9 through 15 on the following Sundays; May 17, July 19 and August 16 from 7 a.m. to noon.  Registration is at the lake monitoring station on Ellington Road.  

“We continue to receive positive feedback on this highly successful program,” said Shenipsit Lake Association President Shawn LaForest.  “We are hoping for our best season ever with more people taking advantage of what the program has to offer.”

For more information about the Shenipsit Lake Recreation Program before Saturday, April 18, please call Connecticut Water at 1-800-286-5700, or check our Web site at www.ctwater.com for a copy of the Recreation Program brochure and directions.   

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Note to reporters and editors:

The Boat Storage Facility can be reached at (860) 875-1850.

 Connecticut Water Company serves nearly 300,000 people in 54 towns in Connecticut. The towns served include: Ashford, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bolton, Brooklyn, Burlington, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Deep River, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Griswold, Guilford, Hebron, Killingly, Lebanon, Madison, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Plainfield, Plymouth, Portland, Prospect, Somers, South Windsor, Stafford, Stonington, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Tolland, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterbury, Westbrook, Willington, Windsor Locks and Woodstock.