Transect Data | Water Data

Pinewood Lake is a 60-acre lake located in Trumbull, CT. The lake is managed by a lake association, which has a beach on the southern end and prohibits use by non-members. An unimproved boat launch exists at the lake’s northern end. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. There is development around the entire lake. Sailing, fishing, and swimming seem to be popular recreational activities by residents on the lake. Water flows into the lake from the northern end and out of the lake by an outlet on the southern end.  A dam allows water to drain from the lake at the end of the western arm. A large amount of organic debris can be found along the shore, especially in the western arm and center shorelines.

CAES IAPP initially surveyed Pinewood Lake in 2004 and this is a resurvey. The 2004 survey found eight native plant species and one invasive (minor naiad, Najas minor).The 2011 survey found 14 native species and the same invasive. This survey found minor naiad in small to medium patches scattered along the shore. This differs from the 2004 survey where minor naiad was the most dominant plant and was found in large patches. Minor naiad appears to be reduced and more native plants are growing in the lake.

Eelgrass (Vallisneria americana) was the most dominant plant in the 2011 survey. It was found in medium to large patches around the lake. Small pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus) and snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus) were commonly found growing with it. The northern end of the lake had the greatest species richness including a large patch of snailseed pondweed. Other plants that grew in small amounts in the northern end were ribbon-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus), low watermilfoil (Myriophyllum humile), slender naiad (Najas flexilis), small pondweed, eelgrass, water starwort (Callitriche species), waterwort (Elatine species), and spikerush (Eleocharis species). Waterwort and spikerush could be found near the shore in coves around the lake.