West Lake is home to many aquatic macroinvertebrates – small organisms without a backbone that are large enough to be seen without the use of a microscope. In any bucket of water you may scoop from the lake, lots of life can be found. Some aquatic macroinvertebrates are known to be sensitive to pollution and will not live in water tainted by chemicals. The diversity of species found in West Lake reflects the fact that West Lake is a largely unpolluted lake. Let’s take a closer look at the common types of aquatic macroinvertebrates found within the lake.

Aquatic plants play a crucial role in the underwater food web in any body of water. Aquatic plants that grow entirely underwater are called submergent, while those that grow up out of the water with only their roots and bases in water are called emergent. Both categories can be found in West Lake.

A monument to times past and a living laboratory of times present, West Lake teems with aquatic life. Originally excavated as a quarry during the park’s industrial era, the lake basin now hosts fish, frogs, turtles, and birds. A careful observer may also notice aquatic insects hidden among the lake’s plants and sediments. West Lake is a wet and wild watery habitat that invites exploration and offers opportunity for discovery.

Photo: This tough, old reptilian resident of West Lake poses for a photo opp. Red-eared sliders (Trachemys sripta elegans) can be seen basking in the sun on floating logs and along the banks in West Lake. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jon Bossley.