To Pond or Not to Pond
This Earthcache is located in Cypress, Texas. Since it is an Earthcache, there is no physical container to find. To earn a smiley for the cache, email or message the cache owner your answers to the questions BEFORE you log a find.
In Southeast Texas, mosquitoes thrive and breed in standing water during the summer. This Earthcache offers a unique experience, allowing you to learn more about ponds. At GZ, there is an indentation in the Earth, which is sometimes filled with water and sometimes not. Hopefully, you do not get bitten while at GZ.
Pond or a Lake?
A pond is a small, calm body of water that is usually shallower than a lake. It can be either natural or man-made and is often located in low-lying areas. Ponds provide habitat for various plants and animals, contributing to a diverse ecosystem.
Ponds are generally smaller and shallower than lakes, such as the one west of GZ. They support a range of plants and animals, and their health and sustainability depend on factors like sunlight, water flow, and nutrient levels.
Ephemeral
Ephemeral means that it lasts for a very short time. Sometimes the pond is dry, depending on rainfall for its water level. The period that the pond has water in it is called a hydroperiod and can last from as short a time as 50 days up to 250 days, depending on the area. The depression can be created by discrete depressions forming or formed as part of wetlands. The reason it is called ephemeral is that it holds water for such a short time. This particular pond is not attached to or within an existing wetland but is independent.
Vernal ponds, also known as ephemeral ponds, are geological depressions flooded by surface water runoff during winter and spring. They fill with either meltwater from winter snow or spring rain. The water collects in these depressions because the pond sits atop an underlying soil layer called claypan or hardpan. Claypan is a distinct soil layer that is impermeable mainly to water and dense and compact. It consists of a slowly permeable layer in the subsoil with a much higher clay content than the overlying soil. This layer is usually hard when dry and becomes plastic and sticky when wet. The presence of claypan slows or completely stops water absorption through the soil, which helps retain water in the pond. Ephemeral ponds may be harder to identify during the summer as the water level significantly decreases or even becomes nonexistent.
The pond in this geology is known to be fishless and supports significant amphibious populations. Fishless aquatic habitats, such as ephemeral ponds, support amphibian populations. The absence of fish predators allows amphibian eggs and larvae to develop safely, essential for maintaining healthy amphibian populations, particularly for species like frogs, toads, and salamanders. These fishless habitats also serve as transitional environments connecting aquatic and terrestrial habitats, which is vital for the lifecycle of many amphibians.
These seasonal pools of water typically have a vague area that indicates the recharge, and it is clear that there is no creek inflow or outflow to the area. These ponds can be very shallow, sometimes reaching as little as 4 inches. An ephemeral pond increases its water content in one of two ways: it is recharged via a small recharge area that is not a creek or waterway, or through rainwater.
After reading the information above and observing the object at GZ, please answer the following questions:
- Can you determine what the recharge area is at this location, or if there is one, please describe why?
- Observe and describe the pond. Is it dry, or is there evidence of water?
- Based on the lesson and your observations, what does it tell you about the hydoperiod of this ephemeral pond (Think in terms of time and seasons in Southeast Texas)?
- Post a picture with the sign of the nearby business in the background.
- DO NOT POST PICTURES of the POND
Confirm your findings by answering these questions and sending your answers via the message center.
**Do not post answers in your log**
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References:
Jepson, Stacy. 2025. Ephemeral Pons: Nature’s Short-Lived Habitats with a Lasting Impact. Cedar Corporation. https://www.cedarcorp.com/blog/7/ephemeral-ponds:-nature’s-short-lived-habitats-with-a-lasting-impact
**Bonus questions for Ray – how many plants, animals, and rocks do you see?**