As The Largest Lake In The State, Connecticut’s Candlewood Lake Was A True Feat Of Engineering

Man-made lakes in Connecticut are truly impressive. They're often indistinguishable from their natural counterparts. The way that man can reshape nature is awe-inspiring, and it's incredible to look at what was once a forest, farmland, or an entire town but is now water. The largest lake in Connecticut is Candlewood Lake. This man-made wonder is now an important recreation area that draws thousands of tourists to the state. It took more than 1,500 workers to turn what was once a small town into a sprawling lake paradise that now provides electricity and entertainment for much of the state.

Candlewood Lake spans 8.4 square miles. The average depth is 40 feet. It's the largest lake within a 60-mile radius of New York City and the biggest lake in CT. This is a really big lake!

Construction on Candlewood Lake began in 1928. The lake was built by Connecticut Light and Power Company, which used Candlewood for electricity production.

This was one of the most impressive feats of engineering in Connecticut history. More than 1,500 men from the U.S. and Canada came in to work on flooding the lake with water from the Housatonic River.

Over 4,500 acres of woods were cut down to form the lake. It took about two and a half years for the lake's pumps to finish pumping in water.

There was a small town here called Jerusalem. Connecticut Light and Power Company had eminent domain rights and purchased land from the families that lived there.

A few families refused to sell their land. They were relocated and the area was flooded. It's amazing to think that underneath this massive lake lies an entire city.

Divers in the area have found old vehicles, farm equipment, and even covered bridges underneath the water.

The lake is a popular recreational area. It's a great spot for boating and swimming.

Candlewood Lake boasts around 60 miles of shoreline, so there's plenty of beach here to enjoy!

Have you ever visited Candlewood Lake in CT? What is the largest lake in Connecticut that you have been to? Share your experiences in the comments!

For a refreshing dip in some of our best swimming holes, take a look at some of our favorites below. Be sure to explore some of the many hiking trails in the Candlewood Lakes area on AllTrails+.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/connecticut/swimming-holes-ct/

Candlewood Lake in southwestern Connecticut is one of our favorite spots in CT. Let's take a look at what Northwestern Connecticut has to offer in this quick video: