Background

The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority is looking for volunteer Citizen Scientists to assist with ice monitoring data collection.

Citizen Science is increasing becoming recognized as a valuable tool for scientific research as it both engages the stakeholders and increases the amount of data that can be collected. The volunteers that contribute their time and energy to this project will provide valuable information that MVCA would be otherwise unable to obtain.

Purpose

Collect data on ice on, freeze up, break up, and ice off dates for lakes across our watershed. The information collected through this program will assist with MVCA’s flood forecasting and warning program and will be utilized in various research projects, primarily centered around how the ice regime is changing in response to climate change and the implications for water quality and quantity throughout the Mississippi Valley Watershed.

Role of Citizen Scientists

Volunteer Citizen Scientists can expect to dedicate minimal time to this project – we estimate a couple hours spread across the winter season. We are looking for lake residents who have waterfront property or access the lake regularly and can provide observations on several key ice phenology dates based on visual observations, namely; ice on, freeze up, break up, and ice off dates. 

Ice Phenology Observation Form

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Lake *

Are you in a bay?

• Yes
• No

Address/Location *

Name *

First

Last

Email

Date *

Observation Type *

• Ice On - First formation of ice along shoreline
• Freeze Up - First instance of complete ice cover
• Ice Cover Change - Any change in ice cover between Freeze up and break up
• Break up - Ice breaks into multiple large sheets, large open water sections form on the lake
• Ice Off - Last remnants of ice leaves the lake

Ice cover changes include: Warm spell results in open water forming after freeze up. Subsequent re-freezing of the lake. Ice melting along the shoreline in spring.

Temperature and Weather *

Notes *

Examples: Snow on ice, no snow on ice, first ice hut, snowmobiles on ice, new cracks observed, ice formed on shore. Include information like: width, length, thickness of ice formation

File Upload

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

If you have a photo of the current ice conditions for reference please upload here.

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