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Hop Brook Lake in Middlebury to observe the 50th anniversary of project construction on Sunday, Sept. 8

Published Aug. 30, 2019

CONCORD, Mass. – The 50th anniversary of construction completion of Hop Brook Lake and dam in Middlebury, Connecticut, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019 with a day in the park of fun family activities, according to officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District.

 

Construction of Hop Brook Lake, situated on the brook of the same name in the towns of Middlebury, Waterbury and Naugatuck, was completed in December 1968 at a cost of $6.2 million. The 520-foot-long, 97-foot-high embankment can hold back 2.2 billion gallons of water in a 270-acre pool extending 1.5 miles.

 

The Hop Brook Lake 50th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area located at 4 Straights Turnpike in Middlebury, Connecticut.

 

A Day in the Park activities will include fly fishing and tying instructions, model yacht club demonstration, water safety trailer with Bobber the Water Safety Dog, family bike trail tour, dam/history tour, family interactive tree identification scavenger hunt, a K-9 search/rescue demonstration and a visit from Brass City Dog Rescue.  

 

Hop Brook Lake has prevented flood damages amounting to $108.4 million since construction. The year-round, 21-acre conservation pool annually attracts nearly 200,000 visitors who enjoy a variety of recreational pursuits on 536 acres including picnicking, swimming, hiking, fishing, and special permit group events.

 

The Corps has instituted Lake Management practices on the 21-acre lake to improve the habitat for largemouth bass and other warm water species.  Developed facilities at this area include three 30 x 44-foot and one 18 x 36-foot picnic shelters. A ball field also may be reserved for a fee, either separately or in conjunction with any of the picnic shelters. Other facilities/opportunities include restrooms, picnic tables, grills, drinking water, a swimming beach, sand volleyball courts, and hiking trails.

 

The Hop Brook Lake website is https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Hop-Brook-Lake/. For up-to-date information call (203) 729-8840. The Facebook site is www.facebook.com/HopBrookLake/.  


Contact
Tim Dugan
978-318-8264
cenae-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 19-075