Phenology is the timing of natural events: e.g. when do flowers bloom, or birds migrate? Lakes undergo numerous seasonal events throughout the year, and tracking the timing of these events can elucidate ecological relationships and change through time.
Our research program includes multiple methods to remotely determine seasonal events, but direct observations can be extremely valuable. Please consider submitting a photo if you visit a mountain lake, in any season!
We are particularly interested in ice phenology, or the timing of freeze up (ice-on) and break up (ice-off). The Maine Mountain Ponds project has been monitoring ice phenology in 9 mountain ponds for > 15 years using water temperature and, when available, satellite imagery. Photos are useful to validate these methods. Tracking shifts in ice phenology is important for understanding multiple aspects of lake ecosystems and lake responses to climate, as presence or absence of ice affects numerous physical, chemical, and biological conditions in lakes.
How can you help us monitor mountain lake phenology? Submit a photo of a mountain pond when you visit.
Ways to submit a photo:
- Upload your photo here!
- Upload your photo to our Facebook page.
- Tag @mainemountainponds on Instagram
- Hashtag your Instagram photo with #mmp[insertpondname], e.g. #mmpTumbledown or #mmpHorns
- Email to amanda.gavin |at| maine.edu
Please be sure to include date and location in your photo submission!
Hiking Directions:
- Midway, easy
- South, easy
- Mountain (Rangeley), moderate
- Eddy, moderate
- Tumbledown, moderate/road closed in winter requires additional hiking
- Cloud, hard
- Horns, hard
- Cranberry, hard
- Speck, hard
If you choose to visit in colder months, winter hiking tips and safety precautions can be found here. Information on ice thickness and safety can be found here. We recommend taking pictures from the shore and not venturing onto ice in the backcountry.
This community science effort is a part of this project on lake phenology.
Maine Mountain Ponds 