8/17/2020

The Town of Ellington posted a permanent sign at the boat launch regarding instances when the water level is high.

7/03/2021

We had the inaugural Crystal Lake Independence day parade.  About 25 boats were decorated and participated in the parade, that consisted of 2 laps around around the lake.  Residents were waving and celebrating.  Thanks to every one who attended and celebrated with us.

6/15/2020

It is with great sorrow that we morn the passing of our long time Crystal Lake friend and neighbor Gerald Dwyer.
Gerry could often be seen slalom water skiing, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, fixing everything and enjoying time with the family.
Gerry was on the CLA Board of Directors and assisted with the lake water testing and many other lake tasks.
He and his wife carol will be truly missed.

Visitation hours will be held from 6-8 pm Thursday, June 17, 2021, at Somers Funeral Home, 354 Main Street, Somers. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, 278 Sandy Beach Road, Ellington, CT 06029

5/08/2021

We held a Crystal Lake road cleanup today. The following volunteers s filled many, trash bags of various items which people had thrown in and by the lake .

Cindy McNamar

Leon Veretto

Vic Laptik

Dave England

Mike Agranoff

Patrick Bowe

Juston Archambault

Lyla Archambault

Al Breton

10/30/2020

The milfoil mats were moved one last time for the season.  We saw a huge improvement in the reduction of milfoil in these areas. Thanks everyone who has helped out with moving the mats throughout the year. Ryan and Dylan Brown, Leon and Matt Veretto, Dave England and Juston Archambault.

6/27/2020

No littering and New Invasive plant signs were posted thanks to Al Breton, Dave England, Juston Archambault and Michael Castro for helping.

5/08/2020

We held a Crystal Lake road cleanup today. The following volunteers walked the roads and filled several trash bags of various items which people had thrown on the side Leon & Christine Veretto, Juston & Lyla Archambault, Dave England ,Monique Lussier Thanks for helping keep our lake area clean!

7/15/2020

The Town of Ellington Recreation and Park Department is  eagerly awaiting guidance at the state level on guidelines for safe beach operation during these unprecedented times. They are tentatively planning on re-opening the beach in some capacity on or around our typical full time 

opening date of June 15. They expect to have full details  prior to June 1st, as they anticipate that State DEEP beaches will publish their plans by that time. Please see 

the Town of Ellington Parks and Recreation Website for the most recent updates. 

5/22/2020

Message from the President

Greetings to all. These are very different and strange times living with the threat of COVID-19. I hope you and your families and friends are staying healthy. Please use caution and common sense as the country begins to reopen and return to a fraction of the “normal” we used to know. As of Memorial Day weekend, the water was in the 60's and a few hardy souls were in the water but many of them were wearing wet suits. Warmer days are just around the corner and we are all looking forward to enjoying summer at the lake. We are hopeful that the dam repairs will be able to be completed this year as the permit expires in the fall of 2021. Many thanks to Juston Archambault for his computer expertise and willingness to help. His company (ESPN/Disney) allowed him to use their Blue Jeans computer program to hold a Crystal Lake Association Board Meeting last week. It was very successful and we are planning to hold the July CLA Meeting remotely. It will be WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 FROM 7:00 TO 8:00 pm. To connect to the meeting using your phone, call (408) 317-9253 (Meeting ID: 432 734 691). We are excited to use this new tool to keep everyone informed and safe. My wife and I are looking forward to seeing you all out on the lake. God Bless, be safe and stay healthy.

David Arzt, President,

Crystal Lake Association

4/09/2020

 Milfoil update

Northeast Aquatic Research (NEAR) conducted a Plant Survey of the lake on August 26, 2019.  Variable leaf milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) was found in the same locations as in 2018 indicating that the diver suction harvesting efforts have been largely successful in preventing the species from spreading throughout the lake.  A second milfoil species, a native one, Myriophyllum verticillatum was found last year during the survey growing offshore of the Town Beach.  This plant looks exactly like the variable milfoil so mapping its distribution involves looking at specimens.  This species is not aggressive.

An aquatic plant survey will be performed during the summer to pinpoint the milfoil and any regrowth (with GPS coordinates) to develop the removal program for 2020.

Northeast Aquatic Research (NEAR) has been working with the Town of Ellington for over 10 years on the water quality and aquatic plants in Crystal Lake.  There has been no increase in their fees during that period and in 2019 they requested an increase.  The Ad Hoc Milfoil Committee, following Town guidelines, solicited fee proposals from three firms listed by CT DEEP as being qualified to perform this work.  NEAR was the low bidder and the Town will be continuing to work with them on this important task to monitor water quality and control, to the extent possible, invasive aquatic plants in the lake. 

The 2020 aquatic plant program will include diver assisted suction harvesting and an expansion of the mats (bentic barriers) in the shallow waters where suction harvesting is not effective.  The committee will also be investigating alternative methods for removing milfoil in the Route 140 Pond across from the Town Beach which is believed to be feeding the growth of milfoil in the open waters of the lake.

10/01/2019

A Summary of Finding for the Use of Lake Bottom Blanket on Milfoil Eradication was given by Board Member Ryan Brown to the Crystal Lake Association at the October 1st, 2019 meeting. See the link below for his findings. Click here

7/31/2019

Milfoil removal update from Dave Arzt:
Today was the 2nd day of suction harvesting by Northeast Aquatic Services. They said the dam area is in good shape. The plants thought to be Milfoil are mostly Bladderwort. A couple hours were spent with red leaf pondweed off of Northeast Cove. NEAS is presently working off of the Town Beach. There is a sizable patch east of where they worked last yearPlease note: There are two divers in the water.Boaters must maintain a distance of 100 feet from any divers-down flag.

5/04/2019

 The Crystal Lake Association expresses its condolences to the family of Nicholas J. DiCorleto, Jr. who passed away on April 30, 2019. Nick who worked for the Town of Ellington for almost 40 years was the Chief Financial Officer, a good friend to the Town, its residents and the Crystal Lake Association. He will be truly missed. Click here for the obituary.

10/30/2018

President Dave Arzt talking about Crystal Lake with Ellington’s First Selectwoman, Lori Spielman, on her TV show.

Click "here" to view the show. 

5/05/2018

We held a Crystal Lake road cleanup today. The following volunteers walked the roads and filled several trash bags of various items which people had thrown on the side of the road and at the dam area. Dolores and Al Breton, Bill Brown, Bill Brown III, Dave Gauthier, Missy and Bob Clark, Rex Joffray, Vic Laptik, Monique Lussier, Cindy McNamar, Pat and Joe Neafey. Thanks for helpingkeep our lake area clean!

7/25/2018

 George Knocklein of the Northeast Aquatic Services gave an Aquatic Plants Presentation at the July 25th CLA meeting