We conserve the lake through outreach, restoration and research.

The Lake Waramaug Task Force is a non-profit organization of volunteers and scientists that provides leadership in restoring and maintaining the ecology and water quality of Lake Waramaug and its watershed. Located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, Lake Waramaug is bordered by the towns of Washington, Warren and Kent. It is a Connecticut Heritage Lake.

An Important Update from the LWTF

Recently, residents of Washington, Warren and Kent expressed concerns regarding wake surfing on Lake Waramaug. The three towns are currently deciding how to address these concerns. While many of the issues raised focus on safety and quality of life, the towns have asked the Task Force to comment on the impact of wake boat activity on water quality. 

The Task Force is cooperating with the towns in two ways:

1. The towns intend to conduct a survey of residents regarding recreational boat usage on the lake, attitudes toward this usage, and perceived impacts. This survey will be conducted by Terra Vigilis Environmental Services (TVES), a private company out of Wisconsin, and paid for by the towns. The Task Force is cooperating with them in the preparation of those sections of the survey relevant to water quality. 

2. The Task Force has begun drawing up a list of questions that will need to be answered to provide a meaningful response to the towns. An independent expert (likely TVES) will have to be engaged to answer these questions. No estimate of the cost has yet been received, nor has any decision been reached as to how this cost will be split between the towns, the Task Force, and other interested parties. A preliminary list of the questions to be answered: 

• What is the potential water quality impact of recreational power boat activity on Lake Waramaug? How does this impact compare to the impact of natural forces?

• At what level of recreational power boat usage is this impact material? What is the current level of recreational power boat usage on the lake?

• What is the relative impact of wake surfing vs. water skiing vs. aggressive tubing vs. cruising?

• Can the impact of different types of recreational power boat usage be mitigated by operation in a specified manner? (i.e. only at a certain distance offshore, or only in certain areas of the lake.)

We invite all members of the community to submit to the Task Force your thoughts or additional questions the study should seek to answer as we refine the parameters of a potential study. 

NOTE: The Lake Waramaug Task Force is not a regulatory body. The Task Force is focused exclusively on maintaining and improving the water quality of Lake Waramaug. Please visit the Task Force website (www.lakewaramaug.org) for a detailed description of the extensive, in-lake work done with your money. The Task Force is committed to absolute donor transparency. Please contact the Task Force directly if you have any questions or concerns.

Click below for additional information on large wave recreational activities and its potential impact to the lake.