Bashan Lake, East Haddam - 2014

2014 Aquatic Plant Survey of Bashan Lake

Transect Data | Water Data

       Bashan Lake is a 273-acre waterbody located in East Haddam, CT. The lake is moderately developed with residential homes along the shoreline and public access through a state boat launch.

       CAES IAPP has been monitoring Bashan Lake almost every year since 2004 using visual and underwater camera surveys to spot treat for variable-leaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum). In 2012, IAPP found a population of the invasive species fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) and performed suction and hand-harvesting methods to reduce the population. Our 2014 survey only found variable-leaf watermilfoil in small bunches sporadically throughout the lake and found only a few small patches of fanwort in the southwest corner of the lake.

       Our 2014 survey found 19 native species with with humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba) and purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea) as the most commonly found species throughout the lake.  Bur-Reed (Sparganium species), arrowhead (Sagittaria species), waterwort (Elatine species), and eelgrass (Vallisneria americana) were also commonly found along the shoreline.

       In the fall of 2014, Bashan Lake was drawndown approximately 5 m for dam repair and is not expected to be refilled until 2016.