Laurel Lake, New Hartford - 2020
2020 Aquatic Plant Survey of Laurel Lake
Laurel Lake is a 16-acre private waterbody located in New Hartford, CT. It has limited access and a private beach in the middle of the eastern shore. There is a dam on the northern end of the lake.
The CAES IAPP performed the fourth survey of the lake in 2020. Previous surveys were performed in 2012, 2013, and 2018. Compared to previous surveys, aquatic plant species were in similar abundance to 2018. No invasive aquatic plant species were found, unlike previous years. Common reed, also known as phragmites, was found in small amounts. While it is invasive, it is a wetland species, so is not counted as an aquatic invasive. This is the first year that minor naiad (Najas minor) was not found.
Fourteen native species were found during the 2020 survey, two fewer than native species found in 2018. Most of the plants were found in the southern portion of the lake, specifically south of the island; this is similar to previous years. The most common species were quillwort (Isoetes species), waterwort (Elatine species), pondweed (Potamogeton species), and large-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius). Overall, the species composition and abundance remained similar to 2018.
| Species recorded in our 2020 survey of Laurel Lake. Scientific Names |
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| Arrowhead | Common bladderwort | Large-Leaf pondweed | Ribbon-Leaf pondweed | Watershield |
| Bur-Reed | Common reed | Primrose-Willow | Spikerush | Waterwort |
| Cattail | Eelgrass | Quillwort | Unidentified pondweed | Yellow water lily |