Laurel Lake, New Hartford - 2013
Laurel Lake in New Hartford, CT was resurveyed from the 2012 survey. It is a 16-acre private lake with limited access and a private beach located in the middle of the eastern shore. There is a dam on the northern end of the lake.
The CAES IAPP 2013 survey found seventeen species in Laurel Lake. This is an increase from the thirteen species found in 2012. Similar to last year, only one of the species present was invasive, minor naiad (Najas minor). It was found to be more abundant than the previous year’s survey growing co-dominantly in the shallow southern portion of the lake. The patch of minor naiad found in the northwest corner of the lake last year was not found this year. However, a new patch was discovered along the middle of the eastern shoreline, as well as several small patches in the western cove. The native species, eelgrass (Vallisneria americana), that was the most dominant species last year in the lake is still growing. It appears that the patch on the eastern shore has decreased slightly. Spikerush (Eleocharis species) was still found frequently along the shore of the lake, although the patch size seems to be somewhat smaller. The large-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius) patch on the northwest corner of the lake was not found this year.
New species documented in Laurel Lake this year include spineless hornwort (Ceratophyllum echinatum), ribbon-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus), common bladderwort (Utricularia macrorhiza). All of which were present in a few scattered patches. Snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus) and floating-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton natans) were not found this year.
The shallow southern area of the lake remains the most species rich area. Nearly all of the species were found growing there. The western and eastern shores of the lake were the least species rich areas, with mostly shallow water plants growing there. Species richness in the western cove increased this year over last year.
| Species recorded in our 2013 survey of Laurel Lake. Scientific Names *Invasive Species |
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| Arrowhead | Large-Leaf pondweed | Spikerush |
| Bur-Reed | Minor naiad* | Spineless hornwort |
| Cattail | Primrose-Willow | Thread-Leaf naiad |
| Common bladderwort | Quillwort | Water plantain |
| Common reed | Ribbon-Leaf pondweed | Waterwort |
| Eelgrass | Small pondweed | |