What Is the “440 Line” on Candlewood Lake? (The Rocky River Project Boundary, Explained)

Updated: January 2026

This article is the deeper follow-up to my Instagram Reel: watch it here. If you own a lake house on Candlewood (or you’re thinking about buying one), you’ll hear “the 440 line” constantly—usually in conversations about docks, shoreline stairs, seawalls, tree work, and “what you can and can’t do” at the water.

Here’s the plain-English explanation of what the 440 line is, why it exists, and why it matters more on Candlewood than almost any other CT lake.

Short answer

The “440 line” is the old nickname for what’s now commonly called the Rocky River Project Boundary—a shoreline boundary tied to Candlewood Lake’s hydroelectric project. Work below that boundary often requires FirstLight approval (and sometimes additional town/state review depending on the activity).

The Candlewood Lake Authority explains it directly and notes the term “440 line” is often misunderstood: Candlewood Lake Authority – Shoreline Homeowners.

What does “440” actually mean?

“440” refers to an elevation reference used around Candlewood Lake. Historically, it’s connected to the maximum flood elevation contour used for project boundary mapping. In other words, it’s not a random number—it comes from how the lake was created, where the project boundary was drawn, and what land needed to be controlled for lake operations.

You can see “the project boundary shown as the 440 contour elevation” referenced in municipal boundary mapping materials (PDF): Rocky River Exhibit G – Project Boundary Maps (New Milford PDF).

There’s also legal/historical discussion describing the 440 contour as the maximum height of the lake’s surface when completely flooded (PDF): CT Judicial decision referencing the 440 contour (PDF).

Modern wording matters: Many sources now emphasize that homeowners should think of this as a Project Boundary rather than a literal “line,” because what matters operationally is whether your proposed work falls within the project-controlled shoreline zone.

Why Candlewood is different from most Connecticut lakes

Candlewood Lake is tied to a federally regulated hydroelectric system (Rocky River). That’s why shoreline activity isn’t only “your property” the way many people assume.

FirstLight explains that it is required to manage shoreline property as part of its federally issued hydropower licenses, and that project boundaries include lands it must own or control for operations: FirstLight – Permits.

That same framework is why Candlewood has a formal shoreline management approach and permitting process that comes up constantly in dock and shoreline conversations.

What the Rocky River Project Boundary affects (real-life examples)

Most people only discover the 440 line when they want to do something practical. The boundary commonly affects (or triggers review for) things like:

Docks (new docks, modifications, relocations)
Boat lifts (placement, seasonal removal considerations)
Shoreline stairs / access paths
Seawalls / shoreline stabilization
Grading / fill / vegetation clearing
Tree work in shoreline zones (depending on exact location and scope)

The Candlewood Lake Authority’s homeowner materials are very direct: if you’re doing work within the Rocky River Project Boundary, you must get a permit first (PDF): CLA Homeowners Guide (PDF).

If you want a practical “what does a permit packet look like” reference, FirstLight provides application guidance and checklists (PDF): FirstLight Shoreline & Land Use Applications – FAQs/Checklists (PDF).

Why the 440 line matters for docks (and why people get tripped up)

Here’s the biggest misunderstanding:

Waterfront does not always mean “unlimited dock freedom.”

On Candlewood, dock decisions often involve a mix of:

Project boundary permitting (FirstLight)
Town wetlands/zoning review (depending on activity and location)
Dock rights (some parcels have clearer rights than others)

For background on how shoreline management policies have addressed docks and deeded rights over time, Connecticut legislative research has discussed limiting new docks/slips to existing deeded rights in the Candlewood shoreline plan context: CT OLR Report – Shoreline Management Plan summary (2006).

This is why two homes that look “equally waterfront” can have completely different dock outcomes. If docks matter to your lifestyle, you want the dock conversation early—not after closing.

Lake levels, drawdowns, and why you see more shoreline in winter

Candlewood’s winter drawdown is part of normal lake operations and maintenance. This is why the shoreline looks dramatically different in winter, why docks and lifts are often removed, and why access structures are planned with seasonality in mind.

Recent reporting has described winter drawdowns and noted the normal summer operating range and winter targets, coordinated with agencies and the CLA: CT Insider – Candlewood Lake winter drawdown details (2026).

FirstLight-related drawdown coverage frequently includes homeowner reminders about removing docks/lifts to prevent ice/flood damage and ensuring shoreline work is permitted: NewsTimes – Annual drawdown coverage & homeowner reminders.

Buying a Candlewood lake property? Use this as a pre-offer checklist

If you’re looking at a Candlewood property and you care about docks, shoreline access, or future improvements, here are the questions that save you from surprises:

Where is the Rocky River Project Boundary relative to this lot?
What shoreline work has already been permitted? (Ask for records if possible.)
Are there association/community rules?
What’s the plan for docks/lifts during drawdown season?
If you want to change anything, what is the permitting path? (FirstLight + town + any other body.)

Even if you never plan to change anything, knowing the boundary helps you understand what “shoreline control” really means on Candlewood.

FAQ: what people search on Google

Is the 440 line the same as the Rocky River Project Boundary?

In modern guidance, yes—the “440 line” is commonly referenced as the former term for what’s now discussed as the Rocky River Project Boundary. See: CLA – Shoreline Homeowners.

Do I need a FirstLight permit to build a dock on Candlewood Lake?

If your dock work falls within project boundary areas, FirstLight states a permit is required for uses/alterations of project lands—including building docks: FirstLight – Permits.

Does “440” mean the lake is 440 feet deep?

No. It’s an elevation reference (think “height above sea level”), not a depth measurement. The number is tied to boundary mapping and the project’s maximum elevation contour references, not how deep your cove is.

Why do some people say they “own to the water” and others don’t?

Candlewood has unique shoreline ownership/control history tied to the hydro project boundary. In many cases, the land near the water is within project-controlled areas, which is why permitting comes into play. For homeowner-friendly explanation: CLA shoreline guide.

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.

What Is the 440 Line on Candlewood Lake?