FAQ

Q: I live on a river/bay/inlet where the water is a mixture of salt and fresh. Can I still send in the observations about my ice?

A: At this time we are only monitoring freshwater ice from lakes and rivers. Salt water and its influences change the freeze thaw conditions of ice. If you are not sure then make a note of this on your observation when submitting it.

Q: I live downstream from a hydro electric dam. Do you still want my ice observations?

A: While this could be an interference with the freeze thaw cycle of your ice observations, just make a careful note regarding the circumstances of where you are monitoring. When you send us your observations make sure that information is included.

Q: I have gaps in my observations because there were some years that we missed observing or recording the dates. Would you still like this information even though it is not "complete"?

A: All observations are valuable to this program, especially if they have been recorded in the exact same location and with the exact same method every time.

Q: I have all kinds of observations but do not want to send you the notebooks that they are in. What should I do to get you this information?

A: There are a couple of different approaches that we can take. One is for you to log onto the site as an observer and have you enter all of your observations for the years. The other method would be for you to photocopy the notebooks and mail or fax us the submissions for us to input. You know your hand writing best, and in order to avoid transcription errors it would be best for you to enter the data yourself. If you do send us photocopies make sure that the print is legible!

Q: Is it necessary to include Latitude - Longitude coordinates on the observation recording form? How do I find them?

A: Latitude and longitude coordinates, along with the date, are the most important information you can provide us with. It is the only way to tell exactly where your ice observations are coming from so we can map and record them in our database. The only way we can assess what is changing in the world around us is to compare observations from the same locations over time. Determine your coordinates from the website by clicking on the "Submit Observations" menu. If you are a new user then click on the "new user" section and register for the program. Once this is done then click on "Add a location". You will have four choices; you may find your location by a postal code, the place name, by zooming in on a map or by manually entering your latitude and longitude if you know it. Once you have the latitude - longitude location then give it a name such as "home", "school", "work" or "pond where I walk the dog". This location has now been registered so you can submit your new observations for this area by clicking on the name that you have given to it.

Q: What if I monitor for more than one lake?

A: That is excellent! But remember that each site has its own unique latitude/longitude coordinate, and this requires you to submit a new location for that observation.

Q: What if the lake I am monitoring does not freeze over at all? Should I send you this observation?

A: This observation could be tremendously important. This could be a signal of climate change or how urban or industrial development have affected a body of water.

Q: How does the difference of when ice freezes and thaws affect me?

A: Seasonal differences in the ice cover of lakes and rivers can have a serious impact on Canadian ecosystems. For example, changes in the migration patterns and breeding seasons of birds, food supplies for fish and mammals, water temperature and water chemistry, can occur. Ice cover also affects national trade, transportation, outdoor recreation, and tourism.

Q: I live way out in the center of the middle of nowhere, are you still interested to what is happening to the ice on my lake?

A: We are especially interested in the ice information from your lake. The more people reporting from diverse geographical locations the clearer the picture we will have on what is happening in this great big country. Your lake may be isolated from some of the affects of industry and human habitation therefore your ice data is affected by fewer factors and may be able to give a clearer picture of what is happening in our ecosystem.