Getting Started Non-Ice

Step by Step Instructions for

Observers in States that DO NOT Experience Ice and Snow
(Click here if you DO live in a state that
experiences ice and snow regularly) 

1. Select a waterbody location
Almost any waterbody is suitable for study. Waterbodies that are not as good for winter observations are: skinny lakes that run parallel to prevailing winds and are heavily influenced by air and wave movement; Lakes and rivers that are heavily controlled by dams - especially dams operated for hydroelectric facilities - or are affected significantly by upstream water control.

2. Select an observation point
Select an observation point that can be used each season and in future years. It should be readily identifiable so you or the next IceWatch USA contributor can easily find it and repeat the observations for many years to come. For small lakes a location with a view of all or most of the lake surface is preferable. For large lakes, or lakes with convoluted shorelines, a location that allows observation of a readily identifiable portion of the lake surface is preferable. This could be an arm of a separate basin of a large lake. For rivers, an observer should simply be able to see a fairly straight stretch of a gently flowing river that is free of restrictions. On both lakes and rivers select a site that is unaffected by local human influences such as dams, sewage or industrial outlets, or agricultural influences such as cattle watering areas, or fish farming operations where aerators are used to keep open water available.

3. Select the part of the waterbody you are going to observe
Your observation area could be an entire lake, the middle of a lake, a bay in a lake, or a stretch of river visible from a building, or road location, or any other easily identifiable location. It should be clearly defined so that someone could read your records and continue your observations at exactly the same location. Please remember to accurately describe the location from which you are making the observations. Make sure you keep your observation consistent! If possible, please submit a photo of your waterbody and observation point.

4. Record site description  Click to download  (see Sample Form)
Your site description only needs to be submitted once per site per season or if changing site location from previous year. On the site description you will give a name to your site and that will be the name you need to fill in on your observation forms so that the data gathered is properly recorded into the database.

5. Watch for precipitation events (rain or an occasional snow event and ice) and wildlife, and then collect your observations

IceWatch USA would like to know the following about winter events:

• The date and time you experience precipitation (rain or snow)
• Depth of rain or snow. 
 
• Air temperature on the dates you observe.

 

IceWatch USA would like to know the following about winter wildlife:

 

 

• What wildlife you observe by sight or by sound,

• Wildlife tracks you spot - please submit photo if possible

• Air temperature on the days of wildlife observations, and

• Date of observation.
  

6. Record your observations on the IceWatch USA Observation Form (see Sample Form)
Accurately record your observations on the IceWatch USA Observation Form. File paper copies of your observations where you or another observer can find them next season.

7. Submit your observations to the IceWatch USA Coordinator by using the form above and submitting / emailing them to volunteer@natureabounds.org or by printing and mailing them to

Nature Abounds
PO Box 241
Clearfield, PA 16830.

The forms on this site are fillable PDF forms that are setup to open in a new window.

These forms once filled out will be emailed to Nature Abounds.

Pressing the submit button will bring up options on how to proceed with sending. 

Choice 1 will be to use your default email program such as Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook, Eudora, Mail etc...

Choice 2 will bring up instructions to save the pdf and attach it to your web based email such as Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc...