Beseck Lake, Middlefield - 2004

2004 Aquatic Plant Survey Map of Beseck Lake

Transect Data | Water Data

In our June 2004 survey of Beseck Lake, no floating-leaved species were found, however, submerged species were abundant, particularly in the northern and southern parts of the lake and along the western shore. A total of 13 submerged and floating-leaved species were recorded in the 116-acre lake, including two invasive species: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus). Specimens of the rare Vasey's pondweed (Potamogeton vaseyi) also were found in the lake. The most abundant species were snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus) and clasping-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton perfoliatus). Both occurred near the shore; clasping-leaf pondweed extended into water no more than 6 feet deep, whereas snailseed pondweed occurred in as much as 12 feet of water. Snailseed pondweed was found on the west side of the lake.

The substrate on the eastern side of Beseck Lake is gravel and largely free of submerged plants, except near a state boat launch, where curlyleaf pondweed, snailseed pondweed, and Eurasian watermilfoil were found. Two small patches of curlyleaf pondweed and slender naiad (Najas flexilis) were recorded farther south along the shore. In addition, a patch of snailseed pondweed was found in a dammed cove on the eastern side of the lake, where the bottom drops steeply to a maximum of 24 feet, the greatest depth in the lake. (Mean water depth in the lake is 12 feet.) Small patches of small pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus) and curlyleaf pondweed occurred near the mouth of the cove. Water in the middle of the lake is 12 to 15 feet deep, and the area was devoid of plant life.

Eurasian watermilfoil, slender naiad, clasping-leaf pondweed, and snailseed pondweed all were recorded in an extensive area of shallow was (less than 4 feet) at the southern end of the lake. Other species found in Lake Beseck were western waterweed (Elodea nuttallii), coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustris), slender waternymph (Najas gracillima), and longstem waterwort (Elatine triandra).

Other Beseck Lake Surveys: 2017, 2011