Timber Lake, Sherman - 2013
Timber Lake is a 16-acre lake located in Sherman, CT. Forest surrounds most of the shoreline, with a few developed lots with residential houses. A dam is located at the southern end of the lake where water level can be drawn down one foot. There is no public boat access. Residents around the lake use the lake for recreation, including a swimming group that meets during the week.
The 2013 CAES IAPP vegetative survey was a resurvey from 2006. The survey found 19 vegetative species with 3 invasives, the same as in 2006. The three invasive plants were Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), minor naiad (Najas minor), and water chestnut (Trapa natans). Eurasian watermilfoil was the most frequently found invasive, growing in medium to large patches around much of the shoreline. The most dense patch was in the middle of the western shore. Minor naiad was found in small patches near the shoreline in the southwest corner, western, and northern shore. Water chestnut was only found in the northwestern cove. None of the invasives appeared to change in locations or densities from the 2006 survey.
The most dominant plant in the 2013 survey was native large-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius). In 2006, large-leaf pondweed was found in two thin patches; however, in 2013, the plant was found growing around most of the shoreline. The northern half of the lake was almost completely covered in large-leaf pondweed. Although the plant's presence on transects did not change much (40% in 2006, 50 in 2013), growth in other areas of the lake the transects did not cover was evident. Also, residents confirmed the nuisance level of growth, especially along the eastern shore.
Other native plants that were frequently found in highest abundance in the northern half of the lake and the western shoreline. Spineless hornwort (Ceratophyllum echinatum) was found covering almost as much of the northern half of the lake as large-leaf pondweed. Other species that dotted the shoreline included watershield (Brasenia schreberi), yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata), and humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba).
| Species recorded in our 2013 survey of Timber Lake. Scientific Names *Invasive Species |
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| Bur-Reed | Pickerelweed | Snailseed pondweed | Water starwort |
| Eurasian watermilfoil* | Primrose-Willow | Spikerush | Watershield |
| Humped bladderwort | Ribbon-Leaf pondweed | Spineless hornwort | Western waterweed |
| Large-Leaf pondweed | Slender naiad | Water chestnut* | Yellow water lily |
| Minor naiad* | Small pondweed | Water plantain | |
Other Timber Lake Surveys: 2006