Saugatuck Reservoir, body of water
Saugatuck Reservoir is a large body of water in Connecticut created by damming the Saugatuck River, covering approximately 827 acres and holding over 12 billion gallons. It is surrounded by forests and woodlands, and supplies drinking water to several nearby towns through an underground pipe system.
The Bridgeport Hydraulic Company began acquiring land in 1920 to build reservoirs along the Saugatuck River, securing most of the needed acreage by 1936 despite local disputes. The concrete dam was completed in 1942, flooding the former village of Valley Forge, and has since supplied water to Connecticut towns.
The reservoir is accessible during daylight hours, and fishing requires a Connecticut fishing license and a special permit from the managing company. Multiple access points along Valley Forge Road offer trails, parking areas, and some have facilities like portable toilets and wheelchair-accessible docks.
The reservoir is stocked with German brown trout that grow larger and live longer than native species, including Connecticut's largest brown trout on record at over 18 pounds. Visitors may also spot bald eagles and various migratory bird species during seasonal passages over the water.
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