Lake Hammonasset, Madison

2004 Aquatic Plant Survey Map of Lake Hammonasset 

Transect Data | Water Data

Aquatic plants were extremely sparse at the time of an August 2004 survey of 243-acre Lake Hammonasset, apparently as a result of the lowering of the water level in the lake. Lake Hammonasset is owned by the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority and managed as a drinking water reservoir. The water appeared to be about 8 feet below normal which left large areas of what would have been shallow-water habitat exposed.

  Individual plants to very small patches of floating bladderwort (Utricularia radiata), spineless hornwort (Ceratophyllum echinatum), little floating heart (Nymphoides cordata), and snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus) were found on the western side of the lake’s northern finger of water. Only floating bladderwort and little floating heart were found on the eastern side.

An unidentified sedge was recorded near a stream entering the lake on the northern end and somewhat farther south on the shore. The species also was found in a few small patches in the main body of the lake. A few plants of floating bladderwort also were found in the southeastern part of the lake’s main body.