Algae, Duckweed & Sponges

Algae

Yuck!

Unlike marine algae, freshwater algae is usually little more than green slime. Much of it is actually microscopic single-celled organisms that form the base of the food chain. That is why the water is green ( when it is green. ) *

-- Wikipedia

* This is New Jersey ... Lord knows why the water is green. Try not to think about it.


Duckweed

magnified, actual size ~ 1/8"

You may find yourself paddling through masses of tiny green floating flecks. That is Duckweed. Duckweed is the tiniest of true plants, just a single leaf and a hair-like root.

-- Wikipedia


Sponges

Again, Yuck!

Freshwater sponges are nothing to write home about. They are typically just a colorless ( or sometimes green ) mass of goo that you wouldn't want to touch, unlike marine sponges which are often big and colorful. Sponges are animals, not plants, but they act like plants, so I'm putting them here.

-- Wikipedia


Farrington Lake
( 40.43371, -74.47122 )

  1. Davidson's Mill Pond - East Brunswick ( 40.41117, -74.49789 )
  2. Farrington Lake - East Brunswick (C) ( 40.42465, -74.47680 )
  3. Farrington Lake - East Brunswick (N) ( 40.43900, -74.46646 )
  4. Farrington Lake - East Brunswick (S) ( 40.42201, -74.48242 )
  5. Lawrence Brook - Milltown (E) ( 40.45144, -74.43663 )
  6. Lawrence Brook - Milltown (W) ( 40.44831, -74.44367 )
  7. Weston's Mill Pond - East Brunswick ( 40.46677, -74.42603 )

This is the biggest of the lakes and ponds created by damming the Lawrence Brook. The map is centered on the northernmost launch site, which is the most central on the lake. There are two more access points to the south, which can be useful if you want to explore up the Lawrence Brook.