| Margerie Lake Reservoir | |
| Location: | New Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Coordinates: | 41.453°N -73.4801°W |
| Length: | [1] |
| Pushpin Map: | Connecticut |
Margerie Lake Reservoir is a 244 acre lake in New Fairfield, Connecticut. It is a source of drinking water for the Danbury area and is managed by the Danbury Water Department. It has a watershed of 2,942 acres.[2]
The area was originally a valley with a smaller body of water named Margerie Pond. The land was marshland that was also referred to as Margerie Swamp. The land was not suitable for development, but was a spot for foraging cranberries. Plans to dam Margerie Creek to create a reservoir started in 1905.[3] Margerie Swamp was purchased for the purposes of creating a reservoir in 1929.[4] Initially there were concerns about the potability of water in Margerie Creek, and opponents thought the project would be too costly.[5] However, construction of the dam began in 1932.[3]
Margerie Lake Reservoir Dam, a 735 feet long earthfill embankment at the south end of the reservoir, was completed in 1934. A larger earthfill dike was also constructed the north side.[1] At its inception, the reservoir produced five million gallons of water per day. By 1992, that number was down to two million.[3]
In December 2021, the town of New Fairfield was granted funds for the construction of a 2.5 mile walking trail along the lake.[6]
The reservoir suffers from periodic algae blooms.[7]