CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct visitor surveys this summer at the Mansfield Hollow Lake recreation area in Mansfield, Conn. This is part of a nationwide effort to survey visitors at more than 30 Corps-managed recreation areas. Visitors leaving these recreation areas will be asked about their length of stay and overall experience.

Participation in the survey is voluntary. Surveys at five New England sites in Connecticut and Massachusetts will be on various days and at various times between June 14, 2012 and Sept. 2, 2012: Mansfield Hollow Lake in Mansfield, Conn.; West Thompson Lake in Thompson, Conn.; Westville Lake in Sturbridge, Mass.; West Hill Dam in Uxbridge, Mass.; and Buffumville Lake in Charlton, Mass. Surveys at Mansfield Hollow will be at the dam trailhead parking area.

These surveys will provide the Corps with baseline information to be used for budgeting and planning purposes. The Corps hopes to learn more about visitor recreation habits to better plan for new trends in the way leisure time is spent at Corps sites. Findings will help ensure that recreation facilities at Corps lakes are operating efficiently to maximize visitor outdoor opportunities and enjoyment.

Interns from the Student Conservation Association will conduct the short interviews (less than 3 minutes) with visitors. The survey has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget. The Corps routinely conducts visitor interviews at its lakes and river projects in an effort to gauge visitors’ experiences and concerns.

The Corps is the nation’s largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, managing more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states and hosting more than 370 million visits per year. With 90 percent of these recreation areas within 50 miles of metropolitan areas they provide a diverse range of outdoor activities close to home and to people of all ages. For more information on the survey and Corps recreation sites nationwide, visit www.corpslakes.us/visitorsurvey.

Mansfield Hollow Lake is off Route 6 and Route 195 in Mansfield. A 450-acre state-managed lake, with a boat ramp, affords free boating and fishing opportunities. Stocked trout may be caught in the

outlet area below the dam, and the lake supports warm water fishing for bass, horned pout, and perch. Large group activities, such as bass tournaments, require a state permit. Other facilities/ opportunities include restrooms, drinking water, uncovered picnic areas, hiking trails and hunting. 

Mansfield Hollow Lake dam on the Natchaug River in Mansfield Hollow, was constructed at a cost of $6.4 million. The 14,050-foot-long, 68-foot-high dam can impound a 49,200-acre foot reservoir, which is equivalent to 16 billion gallons of water. Since it was placed in operation in 1952, it has prevented damages of $101.6 million. The reservoir area offers fine recreational opportunities, including picnicking, fishing, boating, hunting, and nature study and annually attracts more than 574,900 visitors.

For more information on Mansfield Hollow call (860) 923-2982 or check the website at www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/mhl/mhlhome.htm.

The link to the summer survey schedule with times and locations is at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Recreation/. For more information about Corps recreation sites in New England District go to the website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil.