Burr Pond, Torrington
2005 Aquatic Plant Survey Map of Burr Pond
Burr Pond, located within Burr Pond State Park, is 85.1 acres, and has a maximum depth of 11 feet and a mean depth of 5.1 feet. A public swimming area exists along the west shore, and the state maintains a boat ramp at the pond’s southern end. Outboard motors are allowed; however, the speed of boats is limited.
The pond supports lush growth of several aquatic plants, including the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), which was found growing throughout the pond during our July 2005 survey. Also found growing in abundance around the lake are watershield (Brasenia schreberi), southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis), eelgrass (Vallisneria americana), and purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea). Western waterweed (Elodea nuttallii), large-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius), and ribbon-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus) also occurred around the pond in smaller patches.
Other species occurred in one to a few small patches including the invasive species, variable-leaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), which was recorded in relatively deep water in the northern and southern portions of the pond. Yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata) also occurred in the same areas of the lake as the variable-leaf watermilfoil, as well as in the western edge of the pond. Golden hedge-hyssop (Gratiola aurea), snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus), and common bladderwort (Utricularia macrorhiza) occurred in the southern and western portions of the pond. Water starwort (Callitriche species), spineless hornwort (Ceratophyllum echinatum), white water lily (Nymphaea odorata), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), leafy pondweed (Potamogeton foliosus), and floating-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton natans) were found on the western edge of the pond. Spiney-Spored quillwort (Isoëtes echinospora) occurred in both the western and eastern edges of the pond. Spikerush (Eleocharis species) was found only in the shallow water of the eastern edge of the pond, and humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba) was found in both the eastern and northern portions of the pond. Floating bladderwort (Utricularia radiata) was found in a small patch in the northern end of the pond..