Beseck Lake, Middlefield - 2023

2023 Aquatic Plant Survey of Beseck Lake
Transect Data | Water Data

Beseck Lake is a 113-acre lake located in Middlefield, CT.  There is a public boat launch along the eastern shoreline. The lake is used for a variety of recreational activities such as boating, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, and fishing. There is a private town beach on the western side of the lake open to town residents. A dam is located at the end of the long, deep cove along the eastern shore. Most of the shoreline is developed except for a park at the southern end. Beseck Lake's maximum depth is 24 feet with an average depth of 12 feet. This is the fourth survey that CAES OAIS has completed of Beseck Lake.

A total of 22 species were found in the 2023 survey similarly to the 2017 survey. All invasive plants found in 2017 were found again except for minor naiad (Najas minor). The northern and southern most ends of the lake were dominated by large patches of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) covering more of the lake than in 2017. Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) was found relatively consistently in small patches around the whole lake. Since the 2017 survey the patch of Phragmites (Phragmites australis) at the southernmost end of the lake has become significantly smaller. Water chestnut (Trapa natans) was seen for the first time in a very small patch close to the beach area and was hand pulled by OAIS.

This was our second survey that confirmed the presence of state-listed Vasey’s pondweed (Potamogeton vaseyi). Vasey’s pondweed was found predominately on the northwestern and southwestern side of the lake in large patches and appeared to grow closely with clasping leaf pondweed (Potamogeton perfoliatus) along the shoreline.

A total of 18 native species were found in 2023 comparing to 11 in 2004, 17 in 2011, and 18 in 2017. They included pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), small pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus), horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustris), arrowhead (Sagittaria species), waterwort (Elatine species), cattail (Typha species), slender naiad (Najas flexilis), coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), rush (Juncas species), Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), spikerush (Eleocharis species), flat-stemmed pondweed (Potamogeton zosteriformis), western waterweed (Elodea nuttallii), bur-reed (Sparganium species), eelgrass (Vallisneria americana), and primrose-willow (Ludwigia species). Native species were abundant throughout the lake but were never considered a nuisance.

Other Beseck Lake Surveys: 2017, 2011, 2004