The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-12
':Lake Quassapaug"
Original Grant Dates Back to Colonial Days, King George HI = City Once Entertained Thoughts of Acquiring Site for Reservoir-
 Tribute to Engineer Cairns.

Brook was figured at 3,800,000 gall Ions; that of Lindley Brook at 150,000,000 gallons; that of Chest nut Hill at 100000 gallons; that of Lake Quassapaug at 1,502,000 gallons.
 The purity of the water was classed as Lindley Brook first, Chestnut Hill second, Quassapaug third and Hop Brook fourth.
 In those days, there was so much discussion over the project that an experienced engineer, one Rudolph Herring, of New York was called in to advise with the committee. His viewpoint was that the proposed new reservoir should be built to include the waters from the Lindley Brook. But there was strong opposition from some of the manufacturers whose plants were supplied from waters out that way. Then it was, the change was made to the Morris township, through the efforts of the new engineer, MT. Cairns. No man, ever since the day he as- stunned the duties of city engineer, knew the water situation better. And he is the man, through all of these years, who has been prim- arily responsible for the fine water system for Waterbury.
 The history of Lake Quassapaug is most interesting to many of the present day, and we reprint it as it was given at the time of the consideration by the water supply commission of the city!
 Here is what was said of the well known lake in compilation of its history of nearly fifty years ago, including in the summary the estimated cost of purchase and turing it into a city reservoir for the inhabitants of Waterbury:
 Lake Quassapaug is situated in the westerly part of Middlebury. a small portion being in the Town of Woodbury. It is at an elevation of 412 feet above center square and about 8 miles distant.
 It appears by the old colonial records at New Haven that one Abel Wheeler obtained a grant from King George which gave him the right to control the water flowing from the lake at all times, on the condition that he should erect grist mill and bind him. self to grind a certain amount of grain for each family in the neighborhood when required.
 The area of the lake is 274 acres. The capacity of ten feet in depth is 776,0O0000 gallons.
 Tt drains an area of watershed of 1,156 acres.
 The area of the lake and water shed are taken from plans of a survey made by R. P. Maynard in 1876.
 To obtain supply from this course 1t will be necessary to pur- chase the water privileges on the stream between the lake and the Housatonic river. These are ten in number, four of which are not in use. A strip of land bordering on the lake and surrounding it also will have to be purchased. This will require about 75 acres, includ- ing the summer hotels located thereon. In addition it will prob ably be necessary to obtain per- mission from the legislature to di- vert the waters of the lake.
 The length of the main pipe re- quired to make suitable connection with the high service and Cooke street reservoir will be about 49,- 444 feet of different sizes.
 The estimated yearly supply from this source and based upon careful measurements of the rain- fall and flowage of the stream for the last four months is, for an annual rainfall of A inches, 552,- 100000 gallons, daily supploy of 1,502,000 gallons.
 The estimated cost is $430, ,664. .OO.