Williams Pond, Lebanon

Williams Pond is a 250-acre pond located in Lebanon, CT. Access is via a private boat launch or through the Lake Williams Campground located on Route 207. It has seven islands in the southern end of the lake. Two have houses on them. Our June 2009 survey found 14 plant species of which only one, variable-leaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), is invasive. Variable-leaf watermilfoil mixed with yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata), white water lily (Nymphaea odorata), and watershield (Brasenia schreberi) is abundant in the northern coves and within 30 meters (100 feet) of the shore. Submerged vegetation also occurring in this area includes spotted pondweed (Potamogeton pulcher), common bladderwort (Utricularia macrorhiza), purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea), and humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba).

In the southern half of the lake, eelgrass (Vallisneria americana and spotted pondweed are abundant along the shoreline. Snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus) is found sparsely through the lake yet is slightly more common in the southern end and around the island. Also found sparsely around the islands were sevenangle pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum), southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis), and spikerush (Eleocharis species). Ribbon-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus) was only found in the coves, to the left of the Lake Williams Campground swim area. Williams Pond has been treated recently to control variable-leaf watermilfoil.