Lake Waubeeka, Danbury - 2022

Survey Report

Lake Waubeeka is a 36-acre man-made lake located in Danbury, Connecticut. It has a maximum depth of 21 feet with an often mucky and organic substrate. The average depth is about nine feet. There is no public access to the waterbody; it is a private lake managed by the Lake Waubeeka Association (LWA). Most of the shoreline is developed and there are two private beaches with roped off swim areas. Motorboats are not allowed on Lake Waubeeka.

In 2005, 14 species of aquatic plants were found in Lake Waubeeka including the invasive species Eurasian watermilfoil, curlyleaf pondweed, and minor naiad. Combined with a robust population of native waterweed, nearly the entire lake was choked with vegetation. In 2022, the number of plant species declined to only 4 with no invasive species, resulting in most of the lake being devoid of vegetation. The aquatic plant species found in 2022 were arrowhead, pickerelweed, swamp loosestrife, and yellow water lily. These are the same as found in 2019. Except for yellow water lily, all species were found on the shoreline in less than two feet of water. Yellow water lily was the most abundant plant in the lake. Cattail, phragmites, and purple loosestrife were documented during our 2022 survey. These likely occurred during the 2005 surveys but were not recorded as they are considered wetland plants and not aquatics. Phragmites and purple loosestrife are both invasive wetland species.

Lakes with a diverse plant community are desirable for aquatic organisms and water quality enhancement. Pachaug Pond and Moodus Reservoir are among the most diverse lakes in the state and have over 30 aquatic plant species. Lake Waubeeka’s current total of four species make it one of the Connecticut’s least diverse lakes with grass carp herbivory the likely cause. In 2005, aquatic plant vegetation covered most of Lake Waubeeka. By 2019, vegetation was limited to emergent vegetation and water lilies along the shoreline. In 2022, vegetation was similar to 2019 with a slight increase in abundance of yellow water lily. In 2022, plant coverage of Lake Waubeeka’s littoral zone (essentially the entire lake) was well below the 20-40% suggested for optimal habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms.

Other Lake Waubeeka Surveys: 2019, 2005