Amos Lake, Preston - 2006

            Amos Lake is a 113-acre lake in the Thames River drainage basin. Shoreline development varies from sparse to dense and most houses do not have buffer zones between their yards and the water.  A dam at the southern end of the lake raises the natural water level 1.7 meters (2 feet), giving the lake an average depth of over 6 meters (20 feet) and a maximum depth of 14 meters (45 feet).

            Our survey conducted in August 2006 found variable watermilfoil hybrid (Myriophyllum heterophyllum X laxum)as the only invasive plant species.  The dominant submerged species was Robbins' pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii), which was found almost continuously around the perimeter of the lake.  White water lily (Nymphaea odorata) was the most abundant floating-leaved plant, found in most protected coves and along the western shoreline.

            Surrounding the point on the western shoreline was abundant variable pondweed (Potamogeton gramineus)and Robbins' pondweed.   The north-western shoreline is dominated by white water lily and Robbins' pondweed, with some small patches of yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata).  Further north are sizeable patches of arrowhead (Sagittaria sp.) and Robbins' pondweed as well as an isolated patch of slender watermilfoil (Myriophyllum tenellum).  The northern-most point contains sparse Robbins' pondweed and humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba).  The north-eastern shore contains a mixture of Robbins' pondweed, arrowhead, white water lily, and spotted pondweed (Potamogeton pulcher). 

            The southern half of the lake contains several very diverse aquatic plant communities in the coves.  Two coves, towards the center of the lake on opposite shores, east and west, contain large amounts of white water lily, yellow water lily, watershield (Brasenia schreberi),  Robbins' pondweed, variable pondweed, purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea), mudmat (Glossostigma cleistanthum), common bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris), and slender naiad (Najas flexilis).   In addition, the cove on the west shore contains small amounts of floating bladderwort (Utricularia radiata) and coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), and a sizeable patch of variable watermilfoil hybrid.

            Further to the south-east there are two inlets containing small amounts of all ribbon-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), Robbins' pondweed, common bladderwort, spotted pondweed, and purple bladderwort.

            The southern-most cove area is flanked by a recreational vehicle park with a swimming area, containing Robbins' pondweed, pickerelweed, white water lily, slender naiad, variable pondweed, and very small amounts of spotted pondweed and mudmat.

Other Amos Lake Surveys: 2018 Survey, 2013 Survey