Candlewood Throughout the Years

Today, the vast lake, now almost 90 years old, appears to have always been part of the landscape.

Candlewood Lake's formation, interview with Dr. Mitch Wagener

Click here to see more from Dr. Wagener on the Lake, methane, geese and sea monsters.

What led to the creation of Candlewood Lake is considerably less murky than its water. Roraback and company's main interest in 1927 was in a basin to provide a water supply that would turn turbines to generate electricity. The water in the lake could accomplish that task whether clean or not. Today, the amount of electricity generated by the Rocky River system is dwarfed by energy demand and Candlewood Lake's potential energy lies more in its role as a recreational landmark. The future conservation of the Lake will likely not come from those that see revenues in hydro-electric power like J. Henry Roraback did. The maintenance of this massive man-made structure will have to come from those who see revenues in the real estate around the Lake like Pickett and Bronson.