Lower Moodus Reservoir, East Haddam - 2009

Lower Moodus Reservoir is a 120-acre lake located in East Haddam, CT. It is accessible via a public boat launch at the northern end off Route 149. It has a dam on the its south end and on its north end it is separated from Upper Moodus Reservoir by the Haddam Colchester Turnpike causeway. On average it is only about 2 meters (6 feet) deep, but a narrow channel running through the middle can get as deep as 4 meters (12 feet). Much of the shoreline is developed for residential use.

Our July 2009 survey found the invasive species fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) and the native species floating bladderwort (Utricularia radiata) growing throughout the entire lake, except for areas deeper than 3 meters (9 feet). Patches of another invasive, variable-leaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), was often found growing in shallow areas and especially in the many coves. Dense areas of fanwort and variable-leaf watermilfoil occur in the coves to the left and right of the boat launch often interfering with navigation. White water lily (Nymphaea odorata), yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata), and watershield (Brasenia schreberi) were common along the shore. Small pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus), snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus), spikerush (Eleocharis species), and ribbon-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus) were present in isolated patches along the northeastern shore and two southern coves. The southern shore has very little vegetation, primarily golden hedge-hyssop (Gratiola aurea) and waterwort (Elatine species). This may be due either to rocky substrate or mechanical removal. It should also be noted the low watermilfoil (Myriophyllum humile), a native watermilfoil species, was found in the lake on only one stretch of shoreline.

Other Lower Moodus Reservoir Surveys: 2016, 2012