Squantz Pond is located approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of Danbury, Connecticut in the towns of Sherman, Connecticut and New Fairfield, Connecticut, in Fairfield County. It is part of Candlewood Lake but is separated from the main body of the lake by Connecticut Route 39. Squantz Pond is natural in origin; however, its level was raised when Candlewood Lake was impounded in 1923. The pond has a surface area of approximately 288 acres (1.2 km²), a maximum depth of 47 feet (14 m), an average depth of 22.9 feet (7 m), and holds approximately 2 billion US gallons (7,600,000 m³) of water.
The shoreline bottom materials consist mostly of rocks, ledge, and gravel. Mud and organic muck cover the relatively flat areas of the bottom. The pond is fed by Glen Brook from the north, Worden Brook from the west, and several small unnamed streams.
The watershed of Squantz Pond is 3,635 acres (15 km²). Woodlands, wetlands, and water comprise approximately 80 % of the watershed, 15 % is moderate to low-density housing, while the remaining 5 % is open land and farm land.
The eastern shoreline is developed with homes, while the western shoreline is steep and wooded. The southwestern shoreline borders Squantz Pond State Park. Facilities in the park include concession stands, picnic areas, beach and swimming areas, toilets, and hiking trails.
Public access to Squantz Pond is provided through a state owned boat launch located in the State Park. Boats launched from the State Park are limited to a maximum of 7.5 horsepower (6 kW). The launch can be reached by taking Interstate 84, Exit 6 to Route 37 north, to Route 39 north to the State Park entrance.
The launch has a ramp of concrete pads with an asphalt approach. There is parking for 25 cars at the launch.
An aquatic survey of Squantz Pond was published in 1988. The survey found aquatic vegetation in Squantz Pond to be sparse and limited to the shallower areas in the northern section. Species observed included bushy pondweed (Najas flexilis, Najas minor), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), and cattail (Typha sp.)
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection periodically stocks both brown and rainbow trout in Squantz Pond. Other species found in the pond include largemouth bass, yellow perch, white perch, walleyes, and chain pickerel.
Please refer to the current Connecticut Angler's Guide for specific fish consumption advisory information, as well as, the most recent rules governing sport fishing.
SOURCE - Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Copyright 1998-2004
HISTORY:
Squantz Pond State Park takes its name from Chief Squantz of the Schaghticoke Indians who lived at the northern tip of the pond, which is now separated from the rest of Candlewood Lake by the Rte. 39 causeway. Despite its many changes (before becoming a State Park and Forest, the area around Squantz Pond was also a farm and an apple orchard) the presence of the original residents is still marked by occasionally uncovered artifacts such as stone adzes, mallets and other tools. The remains of an Indian canoe over 22 ft. long and 5 ft wide was raised from the bottom of the pond leading to speculation that even before the settlers came, Squantz Pond may have been much larger than it was just prior to its expansion during the flooding of the Candlewood Lake.
PLANT SPECIES: Dr. Patrick L. Cooney; February 27, 2002
Trees: Acer pensylvanicum (Striped Maple) lots, Acer rubrum (Red Maple), Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple), Betula lenta (Black Birch), Betula papyrifera (White Birch), Betula populifolia (Gray Birch), Carpinus caroliniana (Muscle Wood), Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory), Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood), Juniperus virginiana (Red Cedar), Larix sp. (Larch), Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree), Picea sp. (Colorado Blue Spruce), Pinus strobus (White Pine), Populus grandidentata (Big-toothed Aspen), Prunus serotina (Black Cherry), Quercus alba (White Oak), Quercus prinus (Chestnut Oak), Quercus rubra (Red Oak), Sassafras albidum (Sassafras)
Shrubs: Chimaphila maculata (Spotted Wintergreen), Clethra alnifolia (Sweet Pepperbush), Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel), Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel), Lindera benzoin (Spicebush), Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry), Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose) Rubus occidentalis (Black Raspberry), Rubus phoenicolasius (Wineberry), Viburnum sp. (Viburnum)
Vines: Celastrus orbiculatus (Asiatic Bittersweet), Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy), Vitis sp. (Grape Vine)
Herbs: Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard), Artemisia vulgaris (Common Mugwort), Epifagus virginiana (Beech Drops), Galium sp. (Bedstraw), Monotropa uniflora (Indian Pipe), Rumex crispus (Crisped-leaved Dock), Rumex obtusifolius (Broad-leaved Dock), Solidago spp. (Goldenrod), Typha sp. (Cattail), Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein)
Sedges: Carex laxiflora type (Sedge), Carex stricta (Tussock Sedge), Scirpus sp. (Bulrush)
Grasses: Setaria sp. (Foxtail Grass)
Ferns: Dryopteris sp. (Woodfern), Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern), Polypodium sp. (Rock Cap Fern) lots, Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern) lots
Others:
Liverworts, Najas flexilis, Najas minor
FISH SPECIES: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Sunfish, Walleye, Chain Pickerel, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Catfish