Candlewood Lake Drawdown Update: February 2026

Published February 1, 2026

This post is an objective, February-specific update on the Candlewood Lake winter drawdown. It uses the recent reporting from The Hour as the news “anchor,” but relies primarily on official information published by FirstLight and the Candlewood Lake Authority (CLA), with links provided throughout.

What’s happening right now

Candlewood Lake is in its winter drawdown season. The planned winter target for the 2025–2026 season was a shallow drawdown, with a target elevation of 424' and a winter operations range of 424'–422'.

February 2026 update: colder weather and increased power demand

As of February 1, 2026, FirstLight indicated the lake may be drawn down further than originally planned due to increased regional power demand during a prolonged cold snap. Recent reporting states the lake could be lowered roughly 4 feet more than the initial plan, reaching approximately 418–420 feet (instead of the originally planned 422–424 feet range), with an expectation that the lake will still return to normal summer levels before Memorial Day.

News source (The Hour / Hearst CT Media): https://www.thehour.com/newmilford/article/candlewood-lake-new-milford-ct-power-drawdown-21326192.php

Why February can look “unchanged” even when levels are moving

In February, it’s common for people to feel like “nothing is happening,” especially once parts of the lake are frozen. A few reasons changes can be hard to notice visually:

  • Ice and snow reduce visual cues (shoreline bands can be covered).
  • Daily changes are gradual (not a single dramatic drop).
  • The lake bottom is not uniform, so coves with gradual slopes show exposure sooner than steep-drop areas.

For the most accurate numbers, use official level reporting rather than shoreline impressions.

How to check the current lake level (official)

FirstLight operates an automated lake level phone line that provides daily updated water levels: 888-41-RIVER (888-417-4837).

CLA references the same phone line here: https://candlewoodlakeauthority.org/What-Boaters-Need-to-Know

Safety note (February-specific)

During periods of colder weather and changing lake levels, conditions can shift under or around ice. The main practical takeaway is to treat February shoreline and ice conditions cautiously, especially during fluctuating levels.

Related reading (on this site)

License / representation note

I’m not a licensed real estate agent yet. This post is objective, informational, and based on publicly available materials about Candlewood Lake’s shoreline rules and management.