Exploring Messerschmidt Pond: A Natural Sanctuary in Connecticut
- Janet Cunningham
- Jul 21
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Nestled within the quiet woods of Westbrook and Deep River, Connecticut, Messerschmidt Pond is a 73-acre sanctuary. It serves as both a historical relic and a thriving ecological laboratory. Owned and managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), this peaceful waterway offers a rare, up-close look at the natural lifecycle of a freshwater ecosystem.
The History of the Dam
The pond’s existence results from 19th-century industry. Around 1875, a local farmer named Russell Doane constructed an earthen dam across the Falls River. This created the 73-acre millpond to provide the water power necessary to operate a sawmill for a logging industry that never materialized.
In 1983, ownership of the site, including the pond, officially passed to the State of Connecticut. This shift changed its purpose from industrial production to environmental conservation.
Messerschmidt: A Successional Pond
Messerschmidt Pond exemplifies ecological succession. The moment the dam was built and the basin filled, the process began. As the pond held water, it simultaneously started filling with sediment.
Pond succession unfolds through distinct phases, each defined by shifting physical conditions and the arrival of specific plant and animal communities. The cycle starts with the open water stage, where the pond is deep, clear, and colonized by microscopic phytoplankton.
Currently, the majority of the pond is in the second phase, submerged and emergent plant stage. Here, accumulated sediment makes the water shallow enough for sunlight to reach the bottom. Waterlilies, floating hearts, and pickerelweed take hold, trap further sediment, and accelerate the filling process.
At the pond's perimeter, the environment is shifting into the third phase, the marsh and swamp stage. Along the edges, dense stands of rushes and clumps of tussock sedge serve as nurseries for water-tolerant trees like red maples and tupelo.
Eventually, this will lead to the fourth and final phase, the terrestrial stage. In this stage, the water is entirely replaced by solid ground, and the area fully transitions back into a forest.
A Botanical and Wildlife Haven
The plant diversity at Messerschmidt Pond results from its unique history and ongoing succession. The dam was constructed over what was previously dry, upland terrain. The area now supports a striking mix of environments—ranging from mature stands of mountain laurel and a red pine plantation to evolving wetland communities. This combination creates a rich, varied landscape where each season brings a new botanical display, making the pond a rewarding destination to visit throughout the year.
Spring & Early Summer
The seasonal show begins in mid-May. The shores are draped in the soft pink blooms of the Pinxterbloom Azalea. As this display wanes in June, the Mountain Laurel—Connecticut’s state flower—takes center stage. This is followed closely by the fragrant swamp azaleas and the unique, globe-like blossoms of the buttonbush.
Mid-to-Late Summer
The landscape deepens into full lushness. Highbush blueberries ripen, offering fruit for local wildlife. The air fills with the spicy-sweet, intoxicating fragrance of sweet pepperbush. On the water, yellow and white water lilies emerge, accompanied by the striking spikes of pickerelweed and the delicate, heart-shaped leaves of floating hearts.
Fall Transitions
In the fall, the pond’s vegetation shifts color. Red maples, red oaks, and highbush blueberries blaze crimson. Sassafras adds splashes of yellow and orange. Tupelo offers deep shades of scarlet and purple. As leaves drop, winterberry’s bright red fruit becomes visible, providing a valuable winter food source against the dark, sturdy backdrop of red and white pine trees.
The Inhabitants
The pond and its surrounding 470-acre Wildlife Management Area support a diverse ecosystem:
Fish: Anglers frequent the pond for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, and bluegill sunfish.
Birds: The area is a haven for wood ducks and mallards. The habitat is also critical for the American woodcock, Eastern towhee, and various warblers. Red-tailed hawks and barred owls hunt from above.
Mammals: White-tailed deer are common, alongside raccoons, muskrats, and occasionally river otters. The forest and wetland mix also supports bobcats and fishers.
Reptiles: Sunny logs provide basking spots for painted turtles and snapping turtles. The damp forest floor is a potential home for the Eastern box turtle.
Visiting Messerschmidt Pond
Whether you are a land-based explorer or a paddler, there are several ways to experience the serene beauty of the Wildlife Management Area:
Hiking: The area features various trails that wind through the surrounding forest. These trails offer excellent opportunities for birdwatching and observing the transition from upland woods to wetland swamp. Be prepared for potentially wet or muddy sections, especially near the pond's edge.
Paddling: The pond is a premier destination for those with their own canoes or kayaks. Access is straightforward for those with portable watercraft, allowing you to drift through the quiet coves and observe the aquatic vegetation and wildlife up close.
Guided Kayak Tours: For those looking for a deeper educational experience, Wanderlust Ecotours offers guided kayak tours of Messerschmidt Pond. These excursions are perfect for learning about the area’s unique successional ecology, history, and flora from knowledgeable guides. It is a fantastic way to navigate the more secluded areas of the pond while gaining insight into the fragile balance of this managed wildlife habitat.
Whether you are paddling through its quiet coves or hiking the surrounding trails, Messerschmidt Pond offers a peaceful reminder of nature’s constant, patient evolution. It is a place where history and ecology meet, inviting visitors to observe a landscape that is slowly, beautifully returning to the forest.
About the Author: With thirteen years of experience teaching Earth Science and serving as a naturalist for the Audubon Society, Janet Cunningham brings a scientist’s eye and a teacher’s heart. As the owner and lead guide of Wanderlust Ecotours, she translates her passion for the natural world into immersive experiences that protect our environment. When she isn't in the classroom or leading tours, you can find her on the water, exploring and advocating for Connecticut’s vital ecosystems.
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