Long and Bush Ponds, North Stonington - 2024

2024 Aquatic Plant Survey Map of Long and Bush Ponds

Transect Data | Water Data

        Long and Bush Ponds, situated in North Stonington and Ledyard, Connecticut, are connected by a culvert beneath Lantern Hill Road, together spanning 111 acres. A state boat launch is located on the northeast side of Long Pond. The waterbody has a 5 MPH speed limit, and water-skiing is prohibited.

        This was the second aquatic vegetation survey of Long and Bush Ponds conducted by CAES OAIS. During the survey, 35 aquatic plant species were identified. Of these, five were non-native or invasive, including Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), swollen bladderwort (Utricularia inflata), and variable-leaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum).

        Eurasian watermilfoil was primarily found in Long Pond, with two small patches also observed in Bush Pond. In Long Pond, it was common throughout much of the littoral zone. Fanwort was the most widespread species in both ponds, covering nearly the entire expanse of Bush Pond. Purple loosestrife is a semi-aquatic shoreline species, which was found in one small patch on the southwestern side of Long Pond. Swollen bladderwort is likely a new invasive species to Connecticut. DNA research of this species is ongoing and potential impacts to waterbodies are being investigated. It was found in large patches in several areas of Long Pond. Variable-leaf watermilfoil was abundant in both ponds.

        Long and Bush Ponds support a diverse community of 30 different native aquatic plant species. The most common native species encountered include coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), eelgrass (Vallisneria americana), humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba), purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea), Robbins’ pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii), southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis), watershield (Brasenia schreberi), white water lily (Nymphaea odorata), and yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata). Other prominent native species include bur-reed (Sparganium species), Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), common bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris), ribbon-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus) and swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus). The remaining native species were found in smaller populations scattered across various areas of the ponds.

        The littoral zones of both Long and Bush Ponds are densely vegetated, supporting a diverse community of plant species. However, these ecosystems are significantly impacted by invasive species, particularly fanwort and variable-leaf watermilfoil.