Gorton Pond is a 52 acre water body located in East Lyme CT.  The pond has a public boat launch at the southern end and has several private residences along its shore. Gorton Pond was completely dredged in the 1970's but is currently shallow (0–9 ft deep) creating ideal conditions for abundant plant growth. 

       Our CAES IAPP 2015 survey of Gorton Pond is a resurvey from 2004.  In 2004, 17 aquatic plant species were found thriving throughout much of the pond. Myriophyllum heterophyllum (variable leafed watermilfoil) was the only invasive species found in a few small patches throughout the pond.  In 2015, 23 aquatic plant species were found growing throughout the entire pond. In our 2015 survey M. heterophyllum was the only invasive species found, however, the invasive spread throughout the entire waterbody and was the most dominant plant in the survey.

       Najas guadalupensis (southern naiad) was the most dominant native species found in the pond growing intermingled with M. heterophyllum.  Several other native species were commonl including Potamogeton robbinsii (Robbins pondweed), Elodea nuttallii (western waterweed), and Najas flexilis (nodding waternymph). Three varieties of lily pads; Brasenia schreberi (watershield), Nuphar variegata (yellow water lily), and Nymphaea odorata (white water lily) were also commonly along the shoreline.  The northwestern cove contained very dense aquatic plant coverage with a large variety of species including Potamogeton bicupulatus (snailseed pondweed), Potamogeton foliosus (leafy pondweed), and Potamogeton natans (floating-leaf pondweed).

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