Margerie Lake Reservoir is a 244 acre lake in New Fairfield, Connecticut. It is a source of drinking water for the Danbury area and is managed by the Danbury Water Department. It has a watershed of 2,942 acres.[2]
| Margerie Lake Reservoir | |
|---|---|
 North shore of Margerie Lake Reservoir, 2023 | |
  Margerie Lake Reservoir | |
| Location | New Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Coordinates | 41°27′10.77″N 73°28′48.40″W / 41.4529917°N 73.4801111°W |
| Max. length | 8,600 feet (2,600 m)[1] |
| Surface area | 244 acres (99 ha)[1] |
History edit
The area was originally a valley with a smaller body of water named Margerie Pond. The land was marshland, and was referred to as Margerie Swamp. The land was not suitable for development, but was a spot for foraging cranberries. Plans to dam Margerie Creek to create a reservoir started in 1905.[3] Margerie Swamp was purchased for the purposes of creating a reservoir in 1929.[4] Initially there were concerns about the potability of water in Margerie Creek, and opponents thought the project would be too costly.[5] However, construction of the dam began in 1932.[3]
Margerie Lake Reservoir Dam, a 735 feet long earthfill embankment at the south end of the reservoir, was completed in 1934. A larger earthfill dike was also constructed the north side.[1] At its inception, the reservoir produced five million gallons of water per day. By 1992, that number was down to two million.[3]
In December 2021, the town of New Fairfield was granted funds for the construction of a 2.5 mile walking trail along the lake.[6]
The reservoir suffers from periodic algae blooms.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b c "National Program for Inspection of Non-Federal Dams. Margerie Lake Reservoir Dam (CT 00063), Housatonic River Basin, Danbury, Connecticut. Phase I Inspection Report". CORPS OF ENGINEERS WALTHAM MA NEW ENGLAND DIV. 1 December 1978. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- ^ "Source Water Assessment Report" (PDF). State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. May 2003. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- ^ a b c "Marjorie Reservoir: If These Walls Could Talk". Citizen News. Preserve New Fairfield, Inc. 24 July 2013.
- ^ "A history of the greater Danbury area". NewsTimes. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Recommends Margerie Site for Reservoir". The Danbury News. 3 December 1930.
- ^ Baker, Kendra (21 December 2021). "Funding approved for Margerie trail, War Memorial and other projects in Danbury area". NewsTimes. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- ^ Perkins, Julia (9 September 2021). "Danbury's drinking water violated federal standards, but city says it's safe". NewsTimes. Retrieved 24 October 2022.