Squantz Pond State Park
Encyclopedia
Squantz Pond State Park is located approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of Danbury, Connecticut
in the towns of Sherman
and New Fairfield
, in Fairfield County
. It is part of Candlewood Lake
but is separated from the main body of the lake by Route 39
. Squantz Pond is natural in origin; however, its level was raised when Candlewood Lake was impounded in 1923. The lake has a surface area of approximately 288 acres (1.2 km²), a maximum depth of 47 feet (14 m), an average depth of 22.9 feet (7 m), and holds approximately 2 billion US gallons (7,600,000 m³) of water.
The shoreline bottom materials consist mostly of rocks, ledge, and gravel. Mud and organic muck cover the relatively flat areas of the bottom. The lake is fed by Glen Brook from the north, Worden Brook from the west, and several small unnamed streams.
The watershed of Squantz Pond is 3,635 acres (15 km²). Woodlands, wetlands, and water comprise approximately 80 percent of the watershed, 15 percent is moderate to low-density housing, while the remaining 5 percent is open land and farm land.
The eastern shoreline is developed with homes, while the western shoreline is steep and wooded. The southwestern shoreline borders Squantz Pond State Park. Facilities in the park include concession stands, picnic areas, beach and swimming areas, toilets, and hiking trails.
Public access to Squantz Pond is provided through a state owned boat launch located in the State Park. Boats launched from the State Park are limited to a maximum of 7.5 horsepower (6 kW). The launch can be reached by taking Interstate 84, Exit 5 to Route 37 north, to Route 39 north to the State Park entrance.
The launch has a ramp of concrete pads with an asphalt approach. There is parking for 25 cars at the launch.
An aquatic survey of Squantz Pond was published in 1988. The survey found aquatic vegetation in Squantz Pond to be sparse and limited to the shallower areas in the northern section. Species observed included Bushy pondweed (Najas flexilis, Najas minor), Bulrush
(Scirpus sp.), and cattail (Typha sp.)
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection periodically stocks both brown
and rainbow trout
in Squantz Pond. Other species found in the lake include Largemouth Bass
, Yellow Perch
, White Perch
, Walleye
, and Chain Pickerel
.
The current Connecticut Angler's Guide has specific fish consumption advisory information, as well as, the most recent rules governing sport fishing.
SOURCE - Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Copyright 1998-2004
received approval from the General Assembly to establish a new township and they negotiated with Chief Squantz of the Schaghticoke (tribe)
, a tribe of Algonquian
lineage. They "purchased" a 32,000 acre (130 km²) tract of land, that is now New Fairfield and Sherman, for the equivalent of about 300 dollars and on April 24, 1729, The deed was recorded on May 9, 1729, and is now deposited in the archives of the State Capitol in Hartford, Connecticut
.
It is said that Squantz Pond State Park takes its name from Chief Squantz who lived at the northern tip of the lake, which is now separated from the rest of Candlewood Lake by the Route 39 causeway. Before becoming a state park, the area around Squantz Pond was also a farm and an apple orchard. Despite many changes to the land, the presence of the original residents is still marked by occasionally uncovered artifacts such as stone adzes, mallets and other tools. The remains of an Indian canoe over 22 feet long and 5 feet wide was raised from the bottom of the lake, leading to speculation that even before the settlers came, Squantz Pond may have been much larger than it was just prior to its expansion during the flooding of Candlewood Lake
.
) lots, Acer rubrum (Red Maple
), Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple
), Betula lenta (Sweet Birch
), Betula papyrifera (Paper Birch
), Betula populifolia (Gray Birch
), Carpinus caroliniana (American Hornbeam
), Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory
), Cornus Florida (Flowering Dogwood
), Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Juniper
), Larix laricina (Tamarack Larch
), Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip tree
), Picea pungens (Blue Spruce
), Pinus strobus (Eastern White Pine
), Populus grandidentata (Big-toothed Aspen
), Prunus serotina (Black Cherry), Quercus alba (White oak
), Quercus prinus (Chestnut oak
), Quercus rubra (Red oak), Sassafras albidum (Sassafras
), Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock
)
NOTE: The Hemlock woolly adelgid
(Adelges tsugae) is rapidly destroying the Eastern Hemlock population at the park and surrounding areas.
(Spotted wintergreen),Clethra alnifolia (Sweet pepperbush), Hamamelis virginiana (Witch-hazel
), Kalmia latifolia (Mountain laurel), Lindera benzoin (Spicebush), Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry
), Rosa multiflora (Multiflora rose
)
Rubus occidentalis (Black raspberry
), Rubus phoenicolasius (Wineberry), Viburnum sp. (Viburnum
)
), Toxicodendron radicans (Poison-ivy), Vitis sp. (Grape
)
), Artemisia vulgaris (Common mugwort), Epifagus virginiana (Beech-drops), Galium sp. (Bedstraw), Monotropa uniflora (Indian pipe), Rumex crispus (Curled Dock
), Rumex obtusifolius (Broadleaf Dock), Solidago spp. (Goldenrod
), Typha sp. (Cattail
), Verbascum thapsus (Common mullein
)
), Carex
stricta (Tussock sedge), Scirpus sp. (Bulrush
)
), Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern
), Polypodium
sp. (Rock cap ferns) lots, Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) lots
,
Smallmouth bass
,
Yellow perch
,
White perch
,
Sunfish
,
Walleye
,
Chain pickerel
,
Brown trout
,
Rainbow trout
,
Catfish
and phosphorus
, found in the water. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has classified Squantz Pond, as mesotrophic, due to its moderate nutrient concentrations, good clarity, and other water quality characteristics.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a requirement for the respiration of fish and other aquatic organisms. The concentration of DO depends, in part, on water temperature, as cold water can hold more DO than warm water. Because of this, season also effects the distribution of DO in the lake. In the fall, as temperature decreases, the cooled DO-rich surface waters begin to descend toward the bottom because of the difference in density, (water density increases with falling temperatures until it reaches its maximum density at 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), below which it decreases). This mixing of the water due to the difference in density, along with mixing by wind, transports DO to the deeper waters of the lake and results in relatively uniform conditions from the surface to the bottom of the lake by winter. This condition can be seen in the winter profile of DO and temperature (Winter Profile), where the DO concentrations are relatively uniform with depth.
In the spring and summer, the surface waters of the lake are warmed by increasing temperatures and the sun. This warmer, less-dense water remains at the surface, and the lake becomes thermally stratified. As a result of this stratification, there is little mixing of the shallow and deep water in the lake. Thus, DO, which enters the water primarily from the atmosphere and from photosynthesis carried out by aquatic plants, is not transported to deeper water. Near the bottom, the consumption of DO by aquatic organisms and chemical reactions exceed the rate of replenishment, resulting in lower DO levels. This condition can be seen in the summer profile of DO and temperature (Summer Profile), where the DO concentrations decrease rapidly below about 18 feet and are less than 1 milligram per liter below 24 feet. During periods when these low DO conditions exist, there is insufficient DO to support most types of game fish in deeper waters of the lake, and they will normally move to upper layers of the lake where higher DO concentrations are found.
The pH of the water indicates whether it is acidic or alkaline. The pH level is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, where 7.0 is considered neutral, less than 7.0 acidic, and greater than 7.0 alkaline. Highly acidic or alkaline water can be detrimental to aquatic organisms. The ideal range for most freshwater game fish is from 6.5 to 9.0, however, most adult game fish can tolerate pH as low as 5.5. The pH of Squantz Pond ranges from 6.8 to 8.9, which is adequate for most gamefish.
Alkalinity
, which is a measure of the ability of water to neutralize acid, is relatively high in Squantz Pond. For this reason, the lake is not very susceptible to acidification.
178 Shortwoods Road
New Fairfield, CT 06810
U.S.A.
203-797-4165
Open Year-Round - Entry Fee Charged
Picnicking, Hiking, Beaches, Canoeing, Kayaking, Boat Launch, Fishing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Bird Watching, Nature Viewing, Wheelchair Accessible
A green trail travels north to Worden Brook and then head southwest, passing the northern end of the yellow trail, and turns to heads eastward to the southern part of the yellow trail which continues east to bring you back to the outgoing green trail. A shortcut can be had to shorten the green trail circular walk by taking the yellow trail south when it first appears.
The white trail goes along the west shoreline of Squantz Pond to Pine Ledge. Some old reddish-brown markers can still be seen. But the trail is easy enough to follow because it parallels the shoreline. It is mostly a hemlock laden area with quite a few rapidly flowing streams splashing down to the lake. There are also many interesting rock formations. A little less than half-way there is a nice open area and a rock on which you can stand and look back at the beach at Squantz Pond State Park. (Also along the way, a red-blazed trail comes down the steep grade from Pootatuck Mountain.)
TRAIL MAP
began keeping records on drownings at Connecticut state parks in 1996 and since then 13 people have died at Squantz Pond State Park. On Labor Day 2007, an 18-year-old man from Queens, N.Y., became the third drowning victim of 2007 at about 1 p.m. at East Beach, an area that was not protected by lifeguards because the state DEP believed the drowning danger to be lower than other sections of the park.
In June 2008, DEP unveiled several improvements to the park designed to improve the safety of swimmers. The designated beach swimming area was enlarged and clearly marked to make it more attractive to swimmers, and several trees were removed to improve the sight lines of on-duty lifeguards. In addition, a new dock houses a patrol boat.
The other Squantz Pond victims drowned in the areas known as "the Rocks" and the unroped section of "Squantz Cove" that are outside the designated swimming area. These areas also were not protected by lifeguards. "Tree Jumphttp://video.aol.com/video-detail/id/4094819646". is a video example of a highly risky maneuver conducted by a park-goer at the Rocks.
In July 2007, DEP Officials made "the Rocks" off limits to beachgoers. In response to the drownings and pressure from local officials, the state announced plans to reduce the parking capacity of the park from about 500 cars to about 250, and to post signs on nearby Interstate 84 announcing if the park has reached capacity. DEP hopes the reduced capacity will help them prevent swimming outside of authorized areas.
Full List of Drowning Victims
• Jun. 16, 1996: Cezar Guzman, 20, Yonkers, N.Y.
• Aug. 27, 1997: Thomas Swords, 33, New Fairfield, C.T.
• Aug. 02, 1998: Adames Tamarez, 26, New York City, N.Y.
• Jul. 13, 1999: Jesus Tapia, 21, Queens, N.Y.
• Jun. 25, 2000: Alex Marte, 24, Queens, N.Y.
• Jul. 13, 2002: Felix Lantigua, 33, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Sep. 04, 2004: Felipe Mendez, 38, Bronx, N.Y.
• Aug. 28, 2005 Julissa Sierra, 18, Bronx, N.Y.
• Aug. 09, 2006: Michael Rivera, 20, Staten Island, N.Y.
• Aug. 22, 2006: Jesse Nazario, 23, Bronx, N.Y.
• Jul. 10, 2007: Jarvell Ward, 19, Bronx, N.Y.
• Jul. 22, 2007: Celso Tacuri-Rivera, 27, Bridgeport, C.T.
• Sep. 03, 2007: Antonio Gonzalez, 18, Queens, N.Y.
• Sept. 01, 2009: Edward Torres, 8, Bronx, N.Y
• July 24, 2011: Antonio Framco, 21, Albertson, N.Y.
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
in the towns of Sherman
Sherman, Connecticut
Sherman is the northernmost and least populous town of Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,581 at the 2010 census. The town is named for New Haven's Founding Father, Roger Sherman....
and New Fairfield
New Fairfield, Connecticut
New Fairfield is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,881 at the 2010 census. The town is considered part of the greater New York Metropolitan Area and lies approximately from New York City...
, in Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
. It is part of Candlewood Lake
Candlewood Lake
Candlewood Lake, 8.4 sq mi , is located in Fairfield and Litchfield counties of western Connecticut, in the northeastern United States. It is the largest lake in Connecticut...
but is separated from the main body of the lake by Route 39
Route 39 (Connecticut)
Route 39 is a north–south state highway in Connecticut. It is one of the main roads in downtown Danbury. Route 39 begins at the junction of Route 53 and 37, near I-84 , and runs for north through New Fairfield and Sherman, ending at Route 55 in Sherman.- Route description:Route 39 begins...
. Squantz Pond is natural in origin; however, its level was raised when Candlewood Lake was impounded in 1923. The lake has a surface area of approximately 288 acres (1.2 km²), a maximum depth of 47 feet (14 m), an average depth of 22.9 feet (7 m), and holds approximately 2 billion US gallons (7,600,000 m³) of water.
The shoreline bottom materials consist mostly of rocks, ledge, and gravel. Mud and organic muck cover the relatively flat areas of the bottom. The lake is fed by Glen Brook from the north, Worden Brook from the west, and several small unnamed streams.
The watershed of Squantz Pond is 3,635 acres (15 km²). Woodlands, wetlands, and water comprise approximately 80 percent of the watershed, 15 percent is moderate to low-density housing, while the remaining 5 percent is open land and farm land.
The eastern shoreline is developed with homes, while the western shoreline is steep and wooded. The southwestern shoreline borders Squantz Pond State Park. Facilities in the park include concession stands, picnic areas, beach and swimming areas, toilets, and hiking trails.
Public access to Squantz Pond is provided through a state owned boat launch located in the State Park. Boats launched from the State Park are limited to a maximum of 7.5 horsepower (6 kW). The launch can be reached by taking Interstate 84, Exit 5 to Route 37 north, to Route 39 north to the State Park entrance.
The launch has a ramp of concrete pads with an asphalt approach. There is parking for 25 cars at the launch.
An aquatic survey of Squantz Pond was published in 1988. The survey found aquatic vegetation in Squantz Pond to be sparse and limited to the shallower areas in the northern section. Species observed included Bushy pondweed (Najas flexilis, Najas minor), Bulrush
Scirpus
The plant genus Scirpus consists of a large number of aquatic, grass-like species in the family Cyperaceae , many with the common names club-rush or bulrush . Other common names are deergrass or grassweed.The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, and grows in wetlands and moist soil...
(Scirpus sp.), and cattail (Typha sp.)
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection periodically stocks both brown
Brown trout
The brown trout and the sea trout are fish of the same species....
and rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
in Squantz Pond. Other species found in the lake include Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
, Yellow Perch
Yellow perch
The yellow perch is a species of perch found in the United States and Canada, where it is often referred to by the shortform perch. Yellow perch look similar to the European perch, but are paler and more yellowish, with less red in the fins. They have six to eight dark, vertical bars on their sides...
, White Perch
White perch
The white perch, Morone americana, is not a true perch but is, rather, a fish of the temperate bass family, Moronidae, notable as a food and game fish in eastern North America.The name "white perch" is sometimes erroneously applied to the white crappie....
, Walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
, and Chain Pickerel
Chain pickerel
The chain pickerel, Esox niger , is a species of freshwater fish in the pike family of order Esociformes. The chain pickerel and the american pickerel belong to the Esox genus of pikes.-Range:...
.
The current Connecticut Angler's Guide has specific fish consumption advisory information, as well as, the most recent rules governing sport fishing.
SOURCE - Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Copyright 1998-2004
History
Settlers from Fairfield, ConnecticutFairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
received approval from the General Assembly to establish a new township and they negotiated with Chief Squantz of the Schaghticoke (tribe)
Schaghticoke (tribe)
The Schaghticoke are a Native American tribe of the Eastern Woodlands consisting of descendants of Mahican , Potatuck , Weantinock, Tunxis, Podunk, and other people indigenous to what is now Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. They amalgamated after encroachment of white settlers on their...
, a tribe of Algonquian
Algonquian peoples
The Algonquian are one of the most populous and widespread North American native language groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds. Today hundreds of thousands of individuals identify with various Algonquian peoples...
lineage. They "purchased" a 32,000 acre (130 km²) tract of land, that is now New Fairfield and Sherman, for the equivalent of about 300 dollars and on April 24, 1729, The deed was recorded on May 9, 1729, and is now deposited in the archives of the State Capitol in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
.
It is said that Squantz Pond State Park takes its name from Chief Squantz who lived at the northern tip of the lake, which is now separated from the rest of Candlewood Lake by the Route 39 causeway. Before becoming a state park, the area around Squantz Pond was also a farm and an apple orchard. Despite many changes to the land, the presence of the original residents is still marked by occasionally uncovered artifacts such as stone adzes, mallets and other tools. The remains of an Indian canoe over 22 feet long and 5 feet wide was raised from the bottom of the lake, leading to speculation that even before the settlers came, Squantz Pond may have been much larger than it was just prior to its expansion during the flooding of Candlewood Lake
Candlewood Lake
Candlewood Lake, 8.4 sq mi , is located in Fairfield and Litchfield counties of western Connecticut, in the northeastern United States. It is the largest lake in Connecticut...
.
Trees
Acer pensylvanicum (Striped MapleStriped Maple
Acer pensylvanicum is a species of maple native to northern and montane forests in eastern North America from southern Ontario east to Nova Scotia and south to Wisconsin, Ohio, and New Jersey, and also at higher elevations in the Appalachian Mountains south to northern Georgia.It is a small...
) lots, Acer rubrum (Red Maple
Red Maple
Acer rubrum , is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern North America. It ranges from the Lake of the Woods on the border between Ontario and Minnesota, east to Newfoundland, south to near Miami, Florida, and southwest to east Texas...
), Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum is a species of maple native to the hardwood forests of northeastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Ontario, and south to Georgia and Texas...
), Betula lenta (Sweet Birch
Sweet Birch
Betula lenta is a species of birch native to eastern North America, from southern Maine west to southernmost Ontario, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia.-Characteristics and habitat:It is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching 20 m tall with...
), Betula papyrifera (Paper Birch
Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera is a species of birch native to northern North America.-Description:...
), Betula populifolia (Gray Birch
Gray Birch
Betula populifolia is a deciduous tree native to North America. It ranges from southeastern Ontario east to Nova Scotia, and south to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with disjunct populations in Indiana, Virginia, and North Carolina. It prefers poor, dry upland soils, but is also found in moist...
), Carpinus caroliniana (American Hornbeam
Hornbeam
Hornbeams are relatively small hardwood trees in the genus Carpinus . Though some botanists grouped them with the hazels and hop-hornbeams in a segregate family, Corylaceae, modern botanists place the hornbeams in the birch subfamily Coryloideae...
), Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory
Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata, the Shagbark Hickory, is a common hickory in the eastern United States and southeast Canada. It is a large deciduous tree, growing up to 27 m tall, and will live up to 200 years. Mature Shagbarks are easy to recognize because, as their name implies, they have shaggy bark...
), Cornus Florida (Flowering Dogwood
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida is a species of dogwood native to eastern North America, from southern Maine west to southern Ontario, Illinois, and eastern Kansas, and south to northern Florida and eastern Texas, with a disjunct population in Nuevo León and Veracruz in eastern Mexico.-Classification:The flowering...
), Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Juniper
Juniperus virginiana
Juniperus virginiana is a species of juniper native to eastern North America, from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, east of the Great Plains...
), Larix laricina (Tamarack Larch
Tamarack Larch
Tamarack Larch, or Tamarack, or Hackmatack, or American Larch is a species of larch native to Canada, from eastern Yukon and Inuvik, Northwest Territories east to Newfoundland, and also south into the northeastern United States from Minnesota to Cranesville Swamp, West Virginia; there is also a...
), Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip tree
Liriodendron
Liriodendron is a genus of two species of characteristically large deciduous trees in the magnolia family .These trees are widely known by the common name tulip tree or tuliptree for their large flowers superficially resembling tulips, but are closely related to magnolias rather than lilies, the...
), Picea pungens (Blue Spruce
Blue Spruce
Picea pungens is a species of spruce native to western North America, from southeast Idaho and southwest Wyoming, south through Utah and Colorado to Arizona and New Mexico. It grows at high altitudes from altitude, though unlike Engelmann Spruce in the same area, it does not reach the alpine...
), Pinus strobus (Eastern White Pine
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus, commonly known as the eastern white pine, is a large pine native to eastern North America, occurring from Newfoundland west to Minnesota and southeastern Manitoba, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to the northern edge of Georgia.It is occasionally known as simply white pine,...
), Populus grandidentata (Big-toothed Aspen
Aspen
Populus section Populus, of the Populus genus, includes the aspen trees and the white poplar Populus alba. The five typical aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. The White Poplar, by...
), Prunus serotina (Black Cherry), Quercus alba (White oak
White oak
Quercus alba, the white oak, is one of the pre-eminent hardwoods of eastern North America. It is a long-lived oak of the Fagaceae family, native to eastern North America and found from southern Quebec west to eastern Minnesota and south to northern Florida and eastern Texas. Specimens have been...
), Quercus prinus (Chestnut oak
Chestnut oak
Quercus prinus , the chestnut oak, is a species of oak in the white oak group, Quercus sect. Quercus. It is native to the eastern United States, where it is one of the most important ridgetop trees from southern Maine southwest to central Mississippi, with an outlying northwestern population in...
), Quercus rubra (Red oak), Sassafras albidum (Sassafras
Sassafras
Sassafras is a genus of three extant and one extinct species of deciduous trees in the family Lauraceae, native to eastern North America and eastern Asia.-Overview:...
), Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis, also known as eastern or Canadian hemlock, and in the French-speaking regions of Canada as pruche du Canada, is a coniferous tree native to eastern North America. It ranges from northeastern Minnesota eastward through southern Quebec to Nova Scotia, and south in the Appalachian...
)
NOTE: The Hemlock woolly adelgid
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Hemlock woolly adelgid , commonly abbreviated as HWA, is a true bug native to East Asia that feeds by sucking sap from hemlock trees . In eastern North America, it is a destructive pest that poses a major threat to the eastern hemlock and the Carolina hemlock...
(Adelges tsugae) is rapidly destroying the Eastern Hemlock population at the park and surrounding areas.
Shrubs
Chimaphila maculataChimaphila maculata
Chimaphila maculata is a small , perennial evergreen herb native to eastern North America and Central America, from southern Quebec west to Illinois, and south to Florida and Panama.It has dark green, variegated leaves 2-7 cm in length, and 6-26 mm in...
(Spotted wintergreen),Clethra alnifolia (Sweet pepperbush), Hamamelis virginiana (Witch-hazel
Witch-hazel
Witch-hazel is a genus of flowering plants in the family Hamamelidaceae, with three species in North America , and one each in Japan and China...
), Kalmia latifolia (Mountain laurel), Lindera benzoin (Spicebush), Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry
Mitchella repens
Mitchella repens , or Partridge Berry, or Squaw Vine, is the best known plant in the genus Mitchella.It is a creeping prostrate herbaceous woody shrub, occurring in North America and Japan, and belonging to the madder family ....
), Rosa multiflora (Multiflora rose
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora is a species of rose native to eastern Asia, in China, Japan and Korea....
)
Rubus occidentalis (Black raspberry
Black raspberry
Black raspberry is a common name for three species of the genus Rubus:*Rubus leucodermis, native to western North America*Rubus occidentalis, native to eastern North America, the species that is commercially harvested, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, from developed cultivars.*Rubus coreanus,...
), Rubus phoenicolasius (Wineberry), Viburnum sp. (Viburnum
Viburnum
Viburnum is a genus of about 150–175 species of shrubs or small trees in the moschatel family, Adoxaceae. Its current classification is based on molecular phylogeny...
)
Vines
Celastrus orbiculatus (Asiatic Staff vineStaff vine
The staff vines, also known as staff trees or bittersweet, genus Celastrus, comprise about 30 species of shrubs and vines. They have a wide distribution in East Asia, Australasia, Africa and the Americas....
), Toxicodendron radicans (Poison-ivy), Vitis sp. (Grape
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
)
Herbs
Alliaria petiolata (Garlic mustardGarlic Mustard
Garlic mustard is a biennial flowering plant in the Mustard family, Brassicaceae. It is native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northwestern Africa, from Morocco, Iberia and the British Isles, north to northern Scandinavia, and east to northern India and western China...
), Artemisia vulgaris (Common mugwort), Epifagus virginiana (Beech-drops), Galium sp. (Bedstraw), Monotropa uniflora (Indian pipe), Rumex crispus (Curled Dock
Curled Dock
Curled Dock , also known as Curly Dock, Yellow Dock, Sour Dock, Narrow Dock, sometimes as "narrow-leaved dock" , and ambiguously as "garden patience", is a perennial flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae, native to Europe and Western Asia.The mature plant is a reddish brown colour, and...
), Rumex obtusifolius (Broadleaf Dock), Solidago spp. (Goldenrod
Goldenrod
Solidago, commonly called goldenrods, is a genus of about 100 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Most are herbaceous perennial species found in the meadows and pastures, along roads, ditches and waste areas in North America. There are also a few species native to Mexico, South...
), Typha sp. (Cattail
Typha
Typha is a genus of about eleven species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Typhaceae. The genus has a largely Northern Hemisphere distribution, but is essentially cosmopolitan, being found in a variety of wetland habitats...
), Verbascum thapsus (Common mullein
Common Mullein
Verbascum thapsus is a species of mullein native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia, and introduced in the Americas and Australia....
)
Sedges
Carex laxiflora type (SedgeCyperaceae
Cyperaceae are a family of monocotyledonous graminoid flowering plants known as sedges, which superficially resemble grasses or rushes. The family is large, with some 5,500 species described in about 109 genera. These species are widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group...
), Carex
Carex
Carex is a genus of plants in the family Cyperaceae, commonly known as sedges. Other members of the Cyperaceae family are also called sedges, however those of genus Carex may be called "true" sedges, and it is the most species-rich genus in the family. The study of Carex is known as...
stricta (Tussock sedge), Scirpus sp. (Bulrush
Scirpus
The plant genus Scirpus consists of a large number of aquatic, grass-like species in the family Cyperaceae , many with the common names club-rush or bulrush . Other common names are deergrass or grassweed.The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, and grows in wetlands and moist soil...
)
Ferns
Dryopteris sp. (WoodfernsDryopteris
Dryopteris , commonly called wood ferns, male ferns, and buckler ferns, is a genus of about 250 species of ferns with distribution in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with the highest species diversity in eastern Asia. Many of the species have stout, slowly creeping rootstocks that form a crown,...
), Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern
Sensitive fern
Onoclea sensibilis, the Sensitive fern, also known as the bead fern, is a coarse-textured, medium to large-sized perennial fern. The name comes from the observation by early American settlers that it was very sensitive to frost, the fronds dying quickly when first touched by it...
), Polypodium
Polypodium
Polypodium is a genus of 75–100 species of true ferns, widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest species diversity in the tropics. The name is derived from Ancient Greek poly "many" + podion "little foot", on account of the foot-like appearance of the rhizome and its branches...
sp. (Rock cap ferns) lots, Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) lots
Fish species
Largemouth bassLargemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
,
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
,
Yellow perch
Yellow perch
The yellow perch is a species of perch found in the United States and Canada, where it is often referred to by the shortform perch. Yellow perch look similar to the European perch, but are paler and more yellowish, with less red in the fins. They have six to eight dark, vertical bars on their sides...
,
White perch
White perch
The white perch, Morone americana, is not a true perch but is, rather, a fish of the temperate bass family, Moronidae, notable as a food and game fish in eastern North America.The name "white perch" is sometimes erroneously applied to the white crappie....
,
Sunfish
Centrarchidae
The sunfishes are a family of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the order Perciformes. The type genus is Centrarchus . The family's 27 species includes many fishes familiar to North Americans, including the rock bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and crappies...
,
Walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
,
Chain pickerel
Chain pickerel
The chain pickerel, Esox niger , is a species of freshwater fish in the pike family of order Esociformes. The chain pickerel and the american pickerel belong to the Esox genus of pikes.-Range:...
,
Brown trout
Brown trout
The brown trout and the sea trout are fish of the same species....
,
Rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
,
Catfish
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
Water quality
The water of Squantz Pond is moderately productive, and of suitable quality for all recreational water uses, including swimming, boating, and fishing. The productivity, or ability to support plant life, is due to the concentrations of nutrients, such as nitrogenNitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
and phosphorus
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the chemical element that has the symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidized state, as inorganic phosphate rocks...
, found in the water. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has classified Squantz Pond, as mesotrophic, due to its moderate nutrient concentrations, good clarity, and other water quality characteristics.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a requirement for the respiration of fish and other aquatic organisms. The concentration of DO depends, in part, on water temperature, as cold water can hold more DO than warm water. Because of this, season also effects the distribution of DO in the lake. In the fall, as temperature decreases, the cooled DO-rich surface waters begin to descend toward the bottom because of the difference in density, (water density increases with falling temperatures until it reaches its maximum density at 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), below which it decreases). This mixing of the water due to the difference in density, along with mixing by wind, transports DO to the deeper waters of the lake and results in relatively uniform conditions from the surface to the bottom of the lake by winter. This condition can be seen in the winter profile of DO and temperature (Winter Profile), where the DO concentrations are relatively uniform with depth.
In the spring and summer, the surface waters of the lake are warmed by increasing temperatures and the sun. This warmer, less-dense water remains at the surface, and the lake becomes thermally stratified. As a result of this stratification, there is little mixing of the shallow and deep water in the lake. Thus, DO, which enters the water primarily from the atmosphere and from photosynthesis carried out by aquatic plants, is not transported to deeper water. Near the bottom, the consumption of DO by aquatic organisms and chemical reactions exceed the rate of replenishment, resulting in lower DO levels. This condition can be seen in the summer profile of DO and temperature (Summer Profile), where the DO concentrations decrease rapidly below about 18 feet and are less than 1 milligram per liter below 24 feet. During periods when these low DO conditions exist, there is insufficient DO to support most types of game fish in deeper waters of the lake, and they will normally move to upper layers of the lake where higher DO concentrations are found.
The pH of the water indicates whether it is acidic or alkaline. The pH level is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, where 7.0 is considered neutral, less than 7.0 acidic, and greater than 7.0 alkaline. Highly acidic or alkaline water can be detrimental to aquatic organisms. The ideal range for most freshwater game fish is from 6.5 to 9.0, however, most adult game fish can tolerate pH as low as 5.5. The pH of Squantz Pond ranges from 6.8 to 8.9, which is adequate for most gamefish.
Alkalinity
Alkalinity
Alkalinity or AT measures the ability of a solution to neutralize acids to the equivalence point of carbonate or bicarbonate. The alkalinity is equal to the stoichiometric sum of the bases in solution...
, which is a measure of the ability of water to neutralize acid, is relatively high in Squantz Pond. For this reason, the lake is not very susceptible to acidification.
State park information
New Fairfield, CT U.S.A.178 Shortwoods Road
New Fairfield, CT 06810
U.S.A.
203-797-4165
Open Year-Round - Entry Fee Charged
Picnicking, Hiking, Beaches, Canoeing, Kayaking, Boat Launch, Fishing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Bird Watching, Nature Viewing, Wheelchair Accessible
Pets and alcohol
- Pets are not permitted in the park during the summer season from April 15 through September 30. Pets on a leash are permitted in picnic areas and on hiking trails from October 1 to April 14.
- Alcohol-free park. Please do not bring alcoholic beverages.
Swimming safety
Check out the State Park & Forest Swimming Safety Information & Beach Regulations from the DEP.Trails
From the west side, the main trail starts from the north end of the picnic area; it follows the edges of the lake’s western shoreline for 2 miles to a peninsula that juts out into the lake (and has an unobstructed view of the entire lake). The lake is always visible, so there is no fear of getting lost.A green trail travels north to Worden Brook and then head southwest, passing the northern end of the yellow trail, and turns to heads eastward to the southern part of the yellow trail which continues east to bring you back to the outgoing green trail. A shortcut can be had to shorten the green trail circular walk by taking the yellow trail south when it first appears.
The white trail goes along the west shoreline of Squantz Pond to Pine Ledge. Some old reddish-brown markers can still be seen. But the trail is easy enough to follow because it parallels the shoreline. It is mostly a hemlock laden area with quite a few rapidly flowing streams splashing down to the lake. There are also many interesting rock formations. A little less than half-way there is a nice open area and a rock on which you can stand and look back at the beach at Squantz Pond State Park. (Also along the way, a red-blazed trail comes down the steep grade from Pootatuck Mountain.)
TRAIL MAP
Drownings at the park
The Connecticut Department of Environmental ProtectionDepartment of Environmental Protection
Department of Environmental Protection is a name used by several states in the United States of America for the agency charged with proposing and enforcing environmental law...
began keeping records on drownings at Connecticut state parks in 1996 and since then 13 people have died at Squantz Pond State Park. On Labor Day 2007, an 18-year-old man from Queens, N.Y., became the third drowning victim of 2007 at about 1 p.m. at East Beach, an area that was not protected by lifeguards because the state DEP believed the drowning danger to be lower than other sections of the park.
In June 2008, DEP unveiled several improvements to the park designed to improve the safety of swimmers. The designated beach swimming area was enlarged and clearly marked to make it more attractive to swimmers, and several trees were removed to improve the sight lines of on-duty lifeguards. In addition, a new dock houses a patrol boat.
The other Squantz Pond victims drowned in the areas known as "the Rocks" and the unroped section of "Squantz Cove" that are outside the designated swimming area. These areas also were not protected by lifeguards. "Tree Jumphttp://video.aol.com/video-detail/id/4094819646". is a video example of a highly risky maneuver conducted by a park-goer at the Rocks.
In July 2007, DEP Officials made "the Rocks" off limits to beachgoers. In response to the drownings and pressure from local officials, the state announced plans to reduce the parking capacity of the park from about 500 cars to about 250, and to post signs on nearby Interstate 84 announcing if the park has reached capacity. DEP hopes the reduced capacity will help them prevent swimming outside of authorized areas.
Full List of Drowning Victims
• Jun. 16, 1996: Cezar Guzman, 20, Yonkers, N.Y.
• Aug. 27, 1997: Thomas Swords, 33, New Fairfield, C.T.
• Aug. 02, 1998: Adames Tamarez, 26, New York City, N.Y.
• Jul. 13, 1999: Jesus Tapia, 21, Queens, N.Y.
• Jun. 25, 2000: Alex Marte, 24, Queens, N.Y.
• Jul. 13, 2002: Felix Lantigua, 33, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Sep. 04, 2004: Felipe Mendez, 38, Bronx, N.Y.
• Aug. 28, 2005 Julissa Sierra, 18, Bronx, N.Y.
• Aug. 09, 2006: Michael Rivera, 20, Staten Island, N.Y.
• Aug. 22, 2006: Jesse Nazario, 23, Bronx, N.Y.
• Jul. 10, 2007: Jarvell Ward, 19, Bronx, N.Y.
• Jul. 22, 2007: Celso Tacuri-Rivera, 27, Bridgeport, C.T.
• Sep. 03, 2007: Antonio Gonzalez, 18, Queens, N.Y.
• Sept. 01, 2009: Edward Torres, 8, Bronx, N.Y
• July 24, 2011: Antonio Framco, 21, Albertson, N.Y.
The Rocks - homemade jumping videos
This is a highly dangerous activity and is against the law. Do not attempt to do this. Over 10 people have died attempting this jump in the last 10 years.Squantz Pond in the news
- NBC 30 Video - DEP To Make Changes At Squantz Pond
- News Channel 8 Video - Drownings at Squantz Pond
- NBC 30 Video - Squantz Pond Scene Of Drowning
- CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) News on Squantz Pond
- Bridgeport man second to drown in New Fairfield pond this month
- 19-year-old dies after Squantz Pond incident, WABC-TV New York
- DEP chief visits pond; drowning victim dies, Danbury News Times
- Squantz Pond claims another victim , Danbury News Times
- Man pulled from Squantz Pond, Danbury News Times
- Man drowns at Squantz Pond, Danbury News Times
External links
- http://ctman2.dyndns.ws/fall11_1_2005/lake2005a.jpg Panoramic of Squantz Pond in Fall
- http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325268&depNav_GID=1650 Squantz State Park Info
- State Park & Forest Swimming Safety Information & Beach Regulations
