Frequently Asked Questions

Winter, Person looking at ocean

  1. 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?
  2. I live downstream from a hydro electric dam. Do you still want my ice observations?
  3. 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”?
  4. 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?
  5. What if I monitor for more than one lake?
  6. What if the lake I am monitoring does not freeze over at all? Should I send you this observation?
  7. How does the difference of when ice freezes and thaws affect me?
  8. I live way out in the middle of nowhere, are you still interested to what is happening to the ice on my lake?
  9. I live in the middle of a big city and the only water body near my house is a small pond in the neighbourhood park. Do you want me to observe it?

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 affects the freeze thaw conditions of ice. If you are not sure if salt water is present, make a note of this on your observation when submitting it.



Q. I live downstream from a hydroelectric 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. Yes. 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. You can submit historical information dating back as many years as you like, using the online submission form


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. Yes, please. This observation could be tremendously important. This could be a signal of climate change or how urban or industrial development has 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 middle of nowhere, are you still interested to what is happening to the ice on my lake?

A. Absolutely! Ours is a huge country. The more people reporting from diverse geographical locations the clearer the picture we will have on what is happening to our climate. Your lake may be isolated from some of the effects of industry and human habitation, meaning your ice data might be able to give a clearer picture of what is happening in our ecosystem.


Q. I live in the middle of a big city and the only water body near my house is a small pond in the neighbourhood park. Do you want me to observe it?

A. Absolutely! Urban areas have their own microclimates about which there is much to understand. Your data will be very valuable.