Norwich Pond, Lyme - 2004

2004 Aquatic Plant Survey Map of Norwich Pond

Transect Data | Water Data

Norwich Pond is a 30-acre waterbody that has a maximum depth of 33 feet and a mean depth of 22 feet. Several homes have been built along the eastern shore, while land around the rest of the pond is undeveloped and part of the Nehantic State Forest or the Beckett Hill State Park Scenic Reserve. The pond has a state boat ramp, but motors are prohibited.

Norwich Pond supports a community of 13 aquatic plants, all of them native species. White water lily (Nymphaea odorata) was the most abundant aquatic plant in the pond at the time of a July 2004 survey, occurring all around the lake in water up to 6 feet deep. Robbins' pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii) also was abundant through most areas of the lake, growing under white water lily in shallow water and occurring alone in water to 10 feet deep.   

The northern end of the pond was most diverse. In addition to white water lily and one small patch of Robbins' pondweed, individual plants or small patches of yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata), floating bladderwort (Utricularia radiata), flat-leaf bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia), little floating heart (Nymphoides cordata), and spotted pondweed (Potamogeton pulcher) were recorded. On the eastern side of the pond, watershield (Brasenia schreberi), purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea), and yellow water lily were recorded as well as white water lily and spotted pondweed.

In addition to white water lily and Robbins' pondweed, patches of purple bladderwort, watershield, and yellow water lily were recorded at the southern end of the pond. Watershield also was recorded along the western shore, where spikerush (Eleocharis species), smaller patches of yellow water lily and purple bladderwort also were found.

Other Norwich Pond Surveys: 2019, 2015