Amos Lake, Preston - 2022

Survey Report

Amos Lake is a 112-acre waterbody located in Preston, CT. A public state boat ramp is located along the middle of the western shoreline. There is an 8 MPH limit with no water-skiing except for June 15 to the first Sunday after Labor Day between 11am and 6pm. A campground with lake access is located at the southern end of the lake, while various homes are scattered around much of the remaining shoreline. It has a maximum depth of approximately 45 feet and an average depth of about 20 feet.

In 2022, Amos Lake was home to a diverse aquatic plant community comprising 20 native species and one invasive (Eurasian watermilfoil). Much of the lake is too deep for plants to grow; however, most of the area at depths less than 10 feet contained dense vegetation. Eurasian watermilfoil was found for the first time in one location. It was hand pulled by the CAES IAPP surveyors and hopefully will not reappear. Invasive variable-leaf watermilfoil was not found in 2022 likely due to the ProcellaCOR® treatments in 2021 and 2022. Phragmites and purple loosestrife, two invasive wetland species, were observed inshore from the lake. Because they are not true aquatic plants, they are not included in our aquatic plant analysis. Waterlilies and other emersed vegetation were common along the shoreline as well as eelgrass and Robbins’ pondweed.

Native species found in 2022 were likely influenced by the 2021 and 2022 ProcellaCOR® treatments. Found in all four CAES IAPP surveys (2006, 2013, 2018, 2022) include arrowhead, eelgrass, mudmat, Robbins’ pondweed, slender watermilfoil, spotted pondweed, swamp loosestrife, variable pondweed, watershield, white water lily, and yellow water lily. Species gained since our 2018 survey and therefore after the ProcellaCOR® treatments were Berchtold’s pondweed, burweed, coontail, great duckweed, little floating heart, and slender naiad. Species lost since 2018 include common bladderwort, golden hedge-hyssop, humped bladderwort, purple bladderwort, small pondweed, and snailseed pondweed. Vegetation did not occur as consistently around the shoreline as in 2018, but abundance in the coves was similar. Many coves had a heavy abundance of emergent vegetation such as white and yellow water lily along with lyngbya which can be undesirable for swimmers and boaters.

Other Amos Lake Surveys: 2018, 2013, 2006