Transect Data | Water Data

The 2010 survey of Lake Quonnipaug found the same number of species as the previous survey conducted in 2004. There were 27 species found, four of which were invasive plants. The four invasive plants were curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), variable-leaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), and fanwort(Cabomba caroliniana). Large-Leaf pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius), a native, was the most prominent of the plant species. It was found covering the northern portion, eastern and western sides, and the entire southern cove.

The northern portion of the lake was the most species rich area. Although large-leaf pondweed was the most dominant, 18 other species coexisted as well.  The very northern tip was the most species dense without any one species dominating the other. White water lily (Nymphaea odorata) and western waterweed (Elodea nuttallii) both were found in large patches in this part of the lake. Plants that only occurred in this portion of the lake include little floating heart (Nymphoides cordata), star duckweed (Lemna trisulca), primrose-willow (Ludwigia species), and common duckweed(Lemna minor).

The upper portion of the western coast had leafy pondweed (Potamogeton foliosus) and arrowhead (Sagittaria species) occurring in thin, medium-sized patches. Robbins' pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii) and large-leaf pondweed dominated the lower western coast. Arrowhead, white water lily, and a small patch of the invasive fanwort were found growing in this area as well.

The southern cove of the lake had eleven species occurring there. Large-Leaf pondweed covered the entire area. However, yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata), white water lily, and pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) were also found in large patches. Two large patches of the invasive variable-leaf watermilfoil were found. Examples of other plants occurring in small patches include coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), curlyleaf pondweed (invasive), and flat-stemmed pondweed (Potamogeton zosteriformis). Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) was also found.

  Along the eastern coast the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil was found occurring in small to large patches. A large patch was found in the center of the lake growing with Robbins' pondweed and large-leaf pondweed. A large patch of fanwort was found in the cove along the eastern shore. Small patches of white water lily, arrowhead, yellow water lily, and flat-stemmed pondweed also were found.