Deep Drainage Lakes and Ponds

Waterbodies with significant contributing watersheds that are deep enough to form distinct temperature layers in the summer and then mix in the fall and are dominated by warmwater fishes.

Habitat description

Lakes receiving substantial inflow from upstream perennial streams and/or rivers that are deep enough to experience stratification of water temperatures, particularly during the summer, with a cold-water layer at greater depths. These waterbodies may be natural in origin, artificial such as in the case of impoundments of streams and rivers or natural features enlarged by dams. Water temperature stratification and turnover cycles influence water quality seasonally amidst geographic variability in alkalinity, dissolved organic carbon, and pH and nutrient concentrations such as phosphorus and nitrogen depending upon watershed position and watershed and shoreline development. These factors contribute to variability in water clarity and fertility with consequences to nearshore habitat quantity and vegetative cover which is typically moderate to dense. Habitats with low light penetration may be seasonally unavailable to fish and other wildlife due to low oxygen conditions and typically consist of mud and detritus. The presence and persistence of a cold oxygenated (>5 mg/l) layer of water during the ice-free period provides habitat for cool and coldwater fish. Algal blooms may be common depending upon watershed position and development. 

Associated habitat types

Riparian and Floodplain, Coastal Plain Ponds, perennially flowing streams (e.g., inflows). Hydrologically connected marginal wetlands including shrub swamps, marshes, wet meadows, and bogs.

Characteristic communities and species

Specific Communities will vary by watershed and will consist of warm, cool and coldwater fish species (e.g., Brook Trout) where an oxygenated cold deep-water layer persists throughout the year. Typical species include Brown Bullhead, Yellow Perch, Chain Pickerel, Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass, and Golden Shiner among others. Waterbodies with connection to the ocean may be temporarily inhabited by diadromous fish species including Alewife.  Furthermore, waterbodies underlain by karst geologic types (i.e., limestone) with alkaline waters will support unique plant and invertebrate communities adapted to higher pH, and greater concentrations of species such as shell building animals. Freshwater mussel assemblages can be abundant and diverse found at depths (<20-25ft) where oxygen is not limiting and often reach their high densities at shallow depths (<10ft). Typical species include Eastern Elliptio and Eastern Floater in western and central watersheds with the addition of Eastern Lampmussel, Alewife Floater, Eastern Pondmussel, and Tidewater Mucket in eastern watersheds (e.g., Taunton, Cape Cod, Merrimack). Deep drainage lakes and associated habitats also host a variety of species seasonally and annually including turtles, amphibians, waterfowl, fish- and insect-eating birds, beaver, and muskrat.

Ecological processes

Seasonal stratification and turnover of water amidst geographic variation in water quality and nutrients structure these habitats. Nutrient loading is primarily driven by upstream contributing waters and is accompanied by internal phosphorus cycling (resulting from stratification) both of which contribute to eutrophication (i.e., high nutrient status). Eutrophication is typified by increased rates of sedimentation, reductions in water clarity, abundant macrophyte growth, and periodic algal and cyanobacteria blooms.

Threats

Watershed and nearshore land use alterations, shoreline armoring and or homogenization, drawdown, nonnative species introductions, and increased cyanobacteria blooms. Warmer temperatures associated with climate change will prolong summer stratification, increase internal nutrient cycling which may increase the frequency and intensity of algal blooms and decrease or eliminate coldwater habitat. Extreme weather events such as drought will contribute to increased variability in lake water levels. 

Restoration & management recommendations

• Water Quality Restoration: Lake aging or eutrophication is a natural process by which lentic habitats slowly enrich over time, display greater abundances of phytoplankton and aquatic vegetation, increased rates of sedimentation and decreased water clarity. Humans accelerate these processes via land use modifications that directly and indirectly increase nutrient loading to lakes. While deep lakes owing to their greater volume may be initially resilient to excessive loading via storage and assimilation, once present, nutrients are difficult and expensive to physically remove and will overtime result in eutrophication. Further, drainage lakes are more likely to receive higher nutrient loads compared to lakes further upstream. Actions taken to manage or improve water quality should balance short term temporary symptom relief with long-term solutions to nutrient control. Nutrient control strategies include diverting runoff to groundwater, modifying watershed and shoreline land use and management practices to reduce nutrient loads, maintaining shoreline vegetative buffers, and addressing septic leaks. Temporary solutions to water quality include in-lake alum treatments, aquatic plant management, or dosing stations at tributary mouths and dredging.
• Buffer and Shoreline Restoration: Watershed and shoreline actions could focus on restoring vegetative buffers, diverting runoff to groundwater, land management modification, and education. Where shorelines have been homogenized, habitat complexity could be created by leaving in place woody debris which falls in the water.
• Water Quantity Restoration: Lake water levels are often manipulated (e.g., drawdowns) to meet a variety of management goals (e.g., aquatic plant control, drinking water supply). However, water level management practices may not fall within the range of natural water level fluctuations set by hydromorphological variables (e.g., watershed size, lake size, water residence time) for a given lake. Consequently, shallow-water habitat supporting aquatic plants, invertebrates, and fish can be impaired or reduced. Restoration of lake water levels in deep drainage lakes should carefully consider the rate, timing, duration, and magnitude of managed water levels within the constraints of their relatively large watershed, inflows, and large waterbody volume.
• Invasive Species Control: Invasive aquatic plant and mollusk species (e.g., Zebra mussel, Asian Clam) detrimentally impact lake ecosystem biological communities and resources across Massachusetts. Prevention of their spread and managing for their reduction and eradication are critical to maintaining and restoring native lake biological communities (e.g., plants, invertebrates). Invasive species can be prevented from spreading by thoroughly washing and drying water-based gear and equipment between lake visits. Early detection and rapid response is critical for eradication and preventing establishment within a waterbody. Invasive aquatic plants can be managed using a variety of tools including herbicides, pulling, harvesting/cutting, raking, and dredging. Extensive literature on this topic can be found in the practical guide to lake and pond management.

Examples

• Lake Quinsigamond (Shrewsbury/Worcester)

• Lake Cochituate (Wayland/Framingham/Natick)

• Assawompset Pond (Lakeville/Middleborough)

• Stockbridge Bowl (Stockbridge)

• Lake Wyola (Shutesbury)

Additional resources

The Practical Guide to Lake Management in Massachusetts

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers Handout

Managing Aquatic Invasive Plants

Invasive Species Information