Emergency Contacts
  • Lake Emergencies: 911
  • Report Boating Accidents: CT DEP 860-434-8638
  • Call for FirstLight Power’s water level recording 888-417-4837 Menu Item 2, then 2
  • Lake Emergencies: 911
  • Report Boating Accidents: CT DEP 860-434-8638
  • Call for FirstLight Power’s water level recording 888-417-4837 Menu Item 2, then 2

Help Preserve
Lake Lillinonah

Friends of the Lake is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and to improving majestic Lake Lillinonah so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

about us

Currently celebrating its 23rd anniversary, Friends of the Lake is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to improve Lake Lillinonah for the recreational enjoyment for those who use it, to improve its water quality to the standards set forth in the Clean Water Act, and for the long-term environmental protection of this beautiful section of the Housatonic River and its watershed.

23

23

years of operation

300

300

active members

LAKE LILLINONAH TREATMENT NOTIFICATION

TREATMENT DATE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026


We have received the following message from The Pond & Lakes Connection and wanted to proactively notify our members: 

The Pond and Lake Connection will be treating Lake Lillinonah on Tuesday, September 1, targeting the invasive hydrilla with the aquatic herbicide Tribune. 

The treatment will be done throughout the lake where hydrilla has been identified by an aquatic biologist. The majority of the treatment will be north of poison ivy island to lovers leap, and the northern section of the shepaug river. There are isolated patches of hydrilla from New Milford all the way to the dam. They will be targeted on a spot-treatment basis. Please see map below for more details on location(s).

There are no labeled restrictions for swimming, fishing, boating or water contact. In the treatment areas, irrigation can commence on 9/6, livestock water on 9/2 and drinking for consumption on 9/4. Please reach out to The Pond and Lake Connection if you have any questions.

Funding for this hydrilla treatment is provided by the Grants for the Control of Aquatic Invasive Species Program administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)

lillinonah-hydrilla-treatment-july-august-2026

ANNIVERSARY PARTY


Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our 23rd Annual Anniversary Party!

With more than 130 attendees, this was the largest Anniversary Party in Friends of the Lake history, and we could not have asked for a better evening or a better group of people to celebrate with.

If you weren’t able to attend (we missed you and hope to see you in 2027!) or weren’t able to see the screen due to the amazing sunny weather we had, please check out our lake health presentation from the anniversary party below.

LOOKING AHEAD


Thank you so much to all of our members for making this season’s events a success! We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer on the lake, and when the days get cold, here are some things to look forward to starting in Spring 2027.

Save the Lake Day:  Sunday, May 30th

Dine Around:  Saturday, July 17th

Anniversary Party:  Thursday, August 12th

2026 NEWSLETTER


We are delighted to share our annual Friends of the Lake newsletter!

Click here to read up on all the exciting things happening with the lake & our organization!

INVASIVE SPECIES: HYDRILLA


A new aquatic invasive species, hydrilla, has been found in Lake Lillinonah.

Click here to learn more about hydrilla and what you can do to help prevent its spread.

HOW CAN YOU
SUPPORT US?

Help us preserve and protect Lake Lillinonah for generations to come. Every member adds a voice to our cause of protecting this great natural resource.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Lake Emergencies

911

Report Boating Accidents

CT DEP 860-434-8638

Call for FirstLight Power’s Water Level Recording

888-417-4837 Menu Item 2, then 2

LIVE LAKE DATA

NA

The Friends of the Lake buoy and weather station provide live updates on the health of Lake Lillinonah every 15 minutes.

[files-date-updated]

EXTREME CAUTION

0.0
Safe for all users
Caution
Unsafe for boating

News & Announcements

Stay current with the latest news and happenings around the lake.

2021 Fall Drawdown

Friends of the lake is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to improve Lake Lillinonah for the recreational enjoyment for those who use it, to improve its water quality to the standards set

Heartbreaking News

With heavy hearts and tears in our eyes we inform you of the passing of Jeff Tinley. A great friend, Friends of the Lake board member and tremendous human being, “JT” was a man of exceptional character and intellect.

Low Water Alert

This message about changing water levels on Lake Lillinonah is brought to you by Lake Lillinonah Authority, Friends of the Lake, and FirstLight Power. Due to forecasted high river flows, we are lowering Lake Lillinonah starting at 8pm, Friday July 16th.

Annual Newsletters