Tyler Lake, Goshen - 2013
Tyler Lake is a 187-acre lake located in Goshen, CT. There is a state-owned boat ramp located near the middle of the western shoreline. The northern third of the lake contains two coves that are quite swampy and has little development along the shore. The southern two thirds of the lake is heavily developed. The lake is frequently used for recreation such as watersports and fishing. The littoral zone (area where light reaches the bottom allows plants to grow) is less than 4.5 meters.
The 2013 CAES IAPP vegetative survey was a resurvey from 2005. The same invasive species was found in both surveys: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). In 2005, Eurasian watermilfoil was only found along the shoreline. In 2013, it had spread to cover much of the deeper portion of the littoral zone. Other native, dominant plants from the 2005 survey such as white stem pondweed (Potamogeton praelongus) and Robbins' pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii) also spread to cover much of the littoral zone in the 2013 survey. The frequency of occurrence among transects (190 points total) of these three co-dominant plants increased between the years of 2005 and 2013. Eurasian watermilfoil increased from 6% to 17% in 2013. White stem pondweed increased from 45% in 2005 to 52% in 2013. Robbins' pondweed increased from 44% to 51%. Eurasian watermilfoil frequently grew further from the shoreline than the 80 meter transect covers and may be under represented when looking at just transects.
The two northern coves on the lake were species rich and resembled wetland conditions. Many emergent native species co-existed in the coves including, but not limited to: eight pondweed (Potamogeton) species, yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata), and white water lily (Nymphaea odorata). Shoreline species such as pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) was also common. The southern half of the lake was dominated by submersed species. A diverse plant community grew around the lake up to 4.5 meters.
Other Tyler Lake Surveys: 2005