Lake Zoar is a reservoir on the Housatonic River in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was formed by the completion of the Stevenson Dam, which flooded an area of Oxford and Stevenson named "Pleasantvale" or "Pleasant Vale". The towns of Monroe, Newtown, Oxford, and Southbury border Lake Zoar. The name Zoar originates from corner of Newtown and Monroe that once called itself Zoar after the Biblical city Zoara near the Dead Sea. Lake Zoar Authority The Lake Zoar Authority (LZA) is an organization for promoting safety on the lake and improving water quality. The members represent the four towns bordering the lake and meet on a monthly basis. Authority is granted through the Connecticut General Statutes, section 7-151a (of the 1969 supplement). Notable events 1984: Joyce Stochmal, 19, murdered and her body dumped into the lake. November 1986: Richard Crafts murdered his wife Helle Crafts in Newtown, froze the body, cut it up with a chainsaw and finally put it through a woodchipper from a bridge into the lake. September 7, 2005: A 37-year-old man named Frank Northrop died while water-skiing on the lake. July 17, 2007: Bonnie Thayer, 64, found dead by a scuba diver due to suicide by drowning after her disappearance in July 2005. July 6, 2011: 6 Easton, Trumbull, and Burlington residents injured in boat crash. July 2017: Randall Pineau, 52, hit and killed by a ski boat. Recreation Boating There is a speed limit of limit daytime, from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Vessels are prohibited from approaching within on upstream side or on downstream side of Stevenson Dam. Activities including fishing, water-skiing and jet skiing are permitted. Access Each of the towns has a public access boat launch. The Southbury location is maintained by the state of Connecticut and is open to non-town residents. Additionally, there is canoe access from Kettletown State Park. Monroe, Zoar Beach Boat Ramp. Newtown, Eichler's Cove. Oxford, Jackson Cove Park. Southbury, at the end of Scout Road. Sand Bar The Sand Bar is an accumulation of sand close to the center of Lake Zoar. It is a popular meeting destination for all boaters alike. The depth of the water above the sand bar varies upon the generation schedule of "First Light Hydro Generation." The depth varies from 6 inches of water at its most shallow point to a foot before receiving. The area stretches