West Lake, Guilford - 2010

Our 2010 survey of West Lake revealed 29 species compared to 19 in the 2005 survey. Still one invasive plant was found, minor naiad (Najas minor). In 2005, minor naiad was the most prominent plant. In 2010, the invasive was found in small to medium patches along the eastern and northern shore. The 2010 survey revealed little domination of a single plant, with white water lily (Nymphaea odorata) probably being the most dominant but not by much. White water lily was found in small to large patches around the perimeter of the lake. The next most frequent plant was southern naiad (Naiad guadalupensis). The most species rich area of the lake is the southern portion where 15 species were found. Purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea), common bladderwort (Utricularia macrorhiza), and southern naiad coexisted in the middle of the southern portion in large patches The very southern coast had many different species occurring including white water lily, waterwort (Elatine species), watershield (Brasenia schreberi), lake ludwigia (Ludwigia x lacustris), yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata), eelgrass (Vallisneria americana), and swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus). Areas of mixed vegetation can be found throughout the perimeter of the lake.