Maltby Lake #3, Orange

2004 Aquatic Plant Survey Map of Maltby Lake #3

Transect Data | Water Data

Maltby Lake #3, at 25.3 acres, is the largest of the Maltby reservoirs owned by the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority in West Haven. The maximum depth of Maltby Lake #3 is 26 feet. The lake is bordered by forest to the north and west and by Route 34 to the southeast. The lake is open for fishing by special permit, but boats are prohibited. Compared to the other Maltby Lakes, Maltby Lake #3 supports the richest community of aquatic plants, with a total of 10 species.

The most species-rich area was a large, shallow cove in the lake’s northwest, where variable pondweed (Potamogeton gramineus) and southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis) were most abundant. Southern naiadwas confined to the middle of the cove and to the channel connecting the cove to the main body of the lake. Variable pondweed was found primarily in shallow water around the edge of the cove.

Snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus) was abundant on the northern and eastern sides of the cove. Water smartweed (Polygonum amphibium) was found in small patches and growing with the snailseed pondweed. Large-Leaf pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius) occurred in small patches in the cove and in the channel. Invasive minor naiad (Najas minor) and native snailseed pondweed were less abundant, located in the northwestern area of the cove. Western waterweed (Elodea nuttallii) covered the bottom near a culvert through which a stream entered the cove.

The main body of the lake was more sparsely vegetated. The most abundant species were variable pondweed, which was widespread around the lake, and southern naiad, which occurred only on the northern and western sides of the lake. Ribbon-Leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus) was found in large patches in the southern area of the lake. Clasping-Leaf pondweed (Potamogeton perfoliatus) also was found in this area and near the mouth of the channel to the cove in the lake’s northwest. Snailseed pondweed was found in small patches at the lake’s northern end, and water smartweed was found in small patches on the eastern and western sides of the lake and around islands in the southern part of the lake. Spikerush (Eleocharis species) was recorded in a small patch at the northern end of the lake.