Recreation is allowed under a permit granted to Connecticut Water from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) which provides for approved recreational opportunities from the second weekend in April through October 31st with measures to protect the public drinking water source. Shenipsit Lake Reservoir is a public drinking water supply and there are precautions in place to ensure the continuous protection and quality of the water supply source.
The program includes:
View the program brochure and trails map here.
The 2023 Shenipsit Lake Reservoir Recreation Program will open at sunrise on Saturday, April 8, for the 2023 season. Important dates:
Saturday, 3/25 @ noon – Online Registration
Wednesday, 3/29 – Boat Slip Winners Announcement
Sunday, 4/2 – CLOSED (Palm Sunday)
Saturday, 4/1 @ 1:00 and Mon-Fri 4/3 – 4/7 – Boat Drop Off/Quarantine
Saturday 4/8 – Opening Day
Sunday, 4/9 – CLOSED (Easter Sunday)
Boat storage registration is now open. Click here to register.
Thirty (30) boat slots will be made available for residents of the communities surrounding the lake: Ellington, Tolland and Vernon. Twelve (12) additional slots are available for individuals living in or beyond those towns.
The 2023 online registration is a two-step process.
STEP 1: Anyone wishing to register for boat storage will first need to complete the online Boat Registration Application and Agreement, which will include the following fields:
Once you submit Step 1 of your application, you are accepting the Boat Storage Agreement and Waiver, which is attached to this email. Once Step 1 is submitted, your place in line will be time-stamped and recorded.
STEP 2: Once you complete and submit the first form described in Step 1, you will be automatically redirected to another online form where you will be prompted to provide the following information:
Note: The time it takes you to complete Step 2, will not affect your place in line, which was recorded when you submitted Step 1.
The initial registration will close at midnight on March 26, and the 42 slots will be assigned. All registrants will be notified of the status of their registration request on March 29, and further instructions will be provided for those who received a boat slot. People are encouraged to continue to apply online, as a waiting list will be maintained for those who do not initially receive a slot — if openings become available. Those receiving a boat slot will have an opportunity to deliver their boat to their slot beginning Saturday, April 1 at 1:00 PM.
Registration Process for Shenipsit Lake Shoreline Property Owners
The annual registration process for the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir shoreline property owner is different than the process for the general public.
If you are a shoreline property owner, please click here for registration.
Please comply by all permit conditions to protect the safety of the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir Water Supply: