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Lake Pocotopaug Lake and Watershed Restoration Evaluation ...

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3.3 <strong>Lake</strong> Features<strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Pocotopaug</strong> is an enlarged pond resulting from the construction of a dam in the 1700’s(Loomis 2002). <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Pocotopaug</strong> has a surface area of 511.7 acres (Fugro 1993). Thewatershed:lake surface area ratio is 4.7:1.There are two deep basins located in the northern portion of the lake. The western basin,Oakwood, has a maximum depth of approximately 11 meters. The eastern basin isapproximately nine meters in depth. The latest bathymetric map, published in the Frink <strong>and</strong>Norvell (1984) report, is provided in Figure 4. The southern portion of the lake is relativelyshallow. Mean depth of <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Pocotopaug</strong> is 3.4 meters. <strong>Lake</strong> volume varies depending on thereference publication. Fugro (1993) shows a lake volume of 7,131,805 m 3 , whereas the VLSGshows 7,132,239 m 3 (7,132,000 m 3 was used in calculations for this report).<strong>Lake</strong> bathymetry is irregular due to isl<strong>and</strong>s, shoals <strong>and</strong> large rock outcrops. Boating can bedifficult for lake users not familiar with these areas. Slopes are steep within the Oakwood basin<strong>and</strong> moderate in the Markham basin. The shallow area to the south likely contributes to laketurbidity due to wind mixing. The littoral area is mostly composed of rock, s<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> gravel withmuck dominating in the deeper areas.Recreational use of <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Pocotopaug</strong> is extensive <strong>and</strong> varied. Boating of all kinds is verypopular. Motorized watercraft is the preferred method of transportation on the lake. There is apublic boat launch along the western shore. There are s<strong>and</strong>y beaches located on both theeastern <strong>and</strong> western shore for public <strong>and</strong> private use. Fishing is also popular at <strong>Lake</strong><strong>Pocotopaug</strong>, <strong>and</strong> is generally practiced from boats. A Connecticut Trophy Award winningchannel catfish was caught in <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Pocotopaug</strong> in 1999. <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Pocotopaug</strong> was stocked withfingerling walleye in 2001 as part of a project to exp<strong>and</strong> sport fishing diversity in the State ofConnecticut. Although a recent fishery study has not been performed in <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Pocotopaug</strong>, thecurrent fish community is likely dominated by panfish (perch, bluegills, etc.). Recreationalactivities continue throughout the winter months with ice fishing, sailing, <strong>and</strong> skating. Asidefrom human uses, <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Pocotopaug</strong> provides an ideal habitat for aquatic life. Plankton,vascular plants, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, fish, birds (both permanent <strong>and</strong> migratingspecies) <strong>and</strong> mammals depend on the lake as part of their habitat.<strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Pocotopaug</strong> <strong>Restoration</strong> <strong>Evaluation</strong> 15May 2002

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