Desolation Pond

[forestgnome]

Vernal pool, an interesting thought, forestnome. Do vernal pools stay fairly stable (constant) over time, that is, appearing every spring, as opposed to beaver ponds? If so, it might explain why some map-makers include(d) it and some don't.

Vernal pool is named for the vernal (spring) equinox. They can be quite large, and they form in the same place each spring for many years. I should read more about them. Lots of life happens in vernal pools.

 

[dug]

In the surveying business, we used to refer to vernal pools as "seasonal wetland". Means just like it sounds. These could be ponds for the spring and into the summer, but by fall they could be dry. Just tossing that in there.

Read the below story about finding 'unknown' water features.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/12/secret.waterfall.ap/index.html

 

[arghman]

vernal pools usually decline in water level as the growing season begins & plants start sucking up water. some of the signs that you're in one (at least in the lowlands) are presence of sphagnum moss, rotted leaves with a particular color tinge (I think kind of a grayish brown), overstory plants like highbush blueberry. Not sure if they exist at that elevation, though.

edit: "that elevation" = Desolation pond (3800 ft?)

 

[SherpaKroto]

The wealth of knowledge found on this site is amazing, and humbling! This was a fascinating thread!