Merriman Pond, Watertown - 2005

2005 Aquatic Plant Survey Map of Merriman Pond

Transect Data | Water Data

Merriman Pond is in Crestbrook Park and is used as a source of water for Watertown’s municipal park golf course. The pond is bordered by the golf course on its southeast side and a road on the south side. The rest of the pond is bordered by forest. There is an unimproved town boat launch on the south side of the lake.

The most abundant species during our September 2005 survey was the invasive fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana), which occurred throughout most of the lake. Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) was found in an almost continuous band around the edge of the lake. A few small patches of other species were found in the southern half of the lake including floating bladderwort (Utricularia radiata) and ribbon-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus) in the south edge of the lake and humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba) and coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) on the west side. Humped bladderwort also was found on the east side of the southern half of the pond. The northern half of the lake had larger patches of other species, which included purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea) and the invasive variable-leaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum). Floating bladderwort also was found in the northern half of the lake.