Roseland Lake - The Watershed

 

THE LITTLE RIVER WATERSHED

Roseland Lake is part of the Little River watershed, which is within the Thames River Drainage Basin. The Little River watershed is 19,393 acres of mostly agricultural land with some undeveloped woods and wetland and some residential development.

The lake is fed by Muddy Brook from the north and Mill Brook from the West and another small stream. The Little River begins at Roseland Lake's only outlet. It drains under Stonebridge Road southward into Sheppard's Pond (also sometimes spelled Shepherd's Pond or Shepard's Pond), which is visible from Little Pond Road. Sheppard's Pond is a natural impoundment.

The Town of Putnam uses Roseland Lake as a drinking water supply. The diversion of water at the Peake Brook Road Water Treatment Plant is located at the Sheppard's Pond dam, approximately between 2.5 to file north of the confluence of Little River and Quinebaug River in Putnam, CT.

The Little River Watershed is mostly rural, with an estimated:

  • 62% forested/forested wetlands
  • 20% agricultural: cultivation of corn and hay, and there are also orchards, a vineyard, dairy farms and vegetable farms.
  • 10% developed:residential and small village centers in South Woodstock, Woodstock Hill and East Woodstock.
  • 8%: ?

Since 1985, the developed areas and grass cover have increased, while forested areas have decreased. (Muddy Brook and Little River Water Quality Improvement Plan)

At Roseland Lake, Roseland Park runs along much of the western shoreline. The north shoreline is heavily wooded. The east and south shorelines have light residential development.

POND VERSUS LAKE?

Roseland Lake is considered a kettle pond. A kettle pond is a shallow, sediment-filled body of water formed by retreating glaciers or draining floodwaters.

HISTORICAL FLOODS

  • October 2005: Rainfall totals during a 10-day period ranged from 10 to 15 inches within the Connecticut and Thames River basins, which slightly exceeds 100-year frequency 10-day totals of 12 to 13 inches.
  • June 1982: Up to 16 inches of rainfall resulted in major flooding throughout Connecticut.
  • August 1955: Hurricanes Connie and Diane came a week apart, battering most of New England with the most significant flooding ever recorded at many locations.
  • September 1938: Widespread 10 inch rainfall caused by an un-named hurricane resulted in major flooding throughout the Connecticut River valley.