Fox Hill Lake, Ridgefield - 2025

2025 Aquatic Plant Survey Map of Fox Hill Lake
2025 Map of Aquatic Invasive Species
2025 Map of Upper Lake

Transect Data | Water Data

     Fox Hill Lake is a private waterbody located in Ridgefield, CT. The 30-acre lake is highly developed, with Bennetts Farm Road separating the northern section from the main body of the lake. The Fox Hill Lake Association, established in 1951, is actively working to maintain and preserve the lake through invasive species management, native habitat creation, and other projects.

     CAES OAIS performed a full vegetation survey of Fox Hill Lake on July 3^rd & 14^th, 2025. A total of 19 aquatic plant species were found in the lake, including five invasive species: curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), minor naiad (Najas minor), phragmites (Phragmites australis), and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).  Curlyleaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil were only found in the northern section of the lake; however, curlyleaf pondweed senesces in the summer, so it’s possible there was a greater abundance in June before it began to die back. Minor naiad was found in small patches in the main body of the lake with the largest patch near the western cove. Purple loosestrife was found in a small section on the western shore of the main body. Phragmites was extensive along the shoreline of the upper portion of the lake as well as the northern, eastern, and southern shorelines of the main body. Aside from the phragmites, the other invasive species were not at nuisance levels. If left unmanaged, the Eurasian watermilfoil could become a problem in the northern section.

     The 14 native aquatic plant species were common throughout the lake. The northern section is highly vegetated, with much of the water occupied by lilies, western waterweed, coontail, and floating duckweed. Western waterweed fills the water column in the bottom half of the northern lake while greater duckweed and watermeal cover the surface. The main body of the lake (southern lake) was dominated by white and yellow water lily, with large patches on the western side and smaller patches present along nearly the entire shoreline. Given the shallow nature of the lake, high presence of lilies is to be expected. Past management of Eurasian watermilfoil and curlyleaf pondweed appears successful in the main body of the lake, but the northern section is a source for future introductions if left unmanaged.