Seasons

Spencer's Pond is a seasonal pond. Its water level fluctuates considerably throughout the year. A water level monitoring staff was installed and water levels have been recorded daily to monitor the rise and fall of the water level.

View plots of seasonal water level fluctuations

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2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006

Video page

Higher than normal rainfalls for November 2006 through January 2007 has brought pond water levels up to near dangerous levels.

click here to view norms and this year's extreme November precipitation

One of the fascinating aspects of this pond is the schedule of life cycles. As the pond completely dries up, all aquatic life must complete their aquatic phase before late summer. From early spring to late summer there is a flurry of species expending tremendous energy transforming and emerging to their various stages of life. Whether it's observing the Pacific tree frog eggs or tadpoles or emerging frogs or watching the many dragonfly or Damselfly larva hatch, the pond is always active in its web of life.

Late summer

Winter

Spring

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