Cedar Lake, Chester - 2012

2012 Aquatic Plant Survey Map of Cedar Lake

Transect Data | Water Data

Cedar Lake is a 69.3-acre lake located in Chester, CT. The Cockaponset State Forest borders the lake to the northeast, where a public boat ramp is also located. In the south there is a private summer camp that borders the lake along with a public beach. Various houses and private beaches border other parts of the lake.

The 2012 CAES IAPP survey of Cedar Lake was a resurvey to document change in plant communities from 2004 and 2010. The 2012 survey found 25 species, compared to 24 in 2004 and 26 in 2010. Many of the same species have been found each survey year.  This means that Cedar Lake appears to be a stable, species rich lake. The same two invasive species were found in 2012 that were found in all previous survey years: fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) and variable-leaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum). Both plants were found in large patches around the entire shoreline of the lake. Fanwort did not appear to spread very much from 2010, still occupying much of Cedar Lake's shoreline. Variable-leaf watermilfoil, however, did seem to be found more frequently around the shoreline than all the previous surveys. Various shoreline species were found occurring around the lake. Dominant shoreline species included pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), sevenangle pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum), and spikerush (Eleocharis species). Floating leaf species found included watershield (Brasenia schreberi), white water lily (Nymphaea odorata), and yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata). White water lily was the most commonly found native species. A very large patch was found in the southern cove of the lake. Watershield and yellow water lily were commonly found growing with white water lily but in smaller abundance.