Jordan Pond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jordan Pond |
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Jordan Pond
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 Jordan Pond
Location in Maine
Jordan Pond
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hancock County, Maine |
| Coordinates | 44°19′54.6″N 68°15′18.4″W / 44.331833°N 68.255111°W |
| Type | oligotrophic tarn |
| Primary inflows | Deer Brook |
| Primary outflows | Jordan Stream |
| Catchment area | 1.92 sq mi (5.0 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 187 acres (76 ha) |
| Average depth | 84 ft (25.6 m) |
| Max. depth | 150 ft (45.7 m) |
| Water volume | 14,097 acre⋅ft (17,388,000 m3) |
| Residence time | 6 years |
| Surface elevation | 274 ft (84 m) |
| Settlements | Mount Desert |
Jordan Pond is a beautiful, clear lake located in Acadia National Park in Maine. It's near the town of Bar Harbor. This special lake is known as an oligotrophic tarn. This means its water is very clean, has low levels of nutrients, and doesn't have much plant growth.
The pond covers about 187 acres (76 ha). It reaches a maximum depth of 150 feet (46 m), which is like a 15-story building! The shoreline around the pond is about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) long.
Jordan Pond was formed a long time ago by a huge sheet of ice. This happened during the last Ice Age, called the Wisconsin Ice Sheet. Tall mountains surround the pond. Penobscot Mountain is to the west, and Pemetic Mountain is to the east. Two unique, rounded hills called The Bubbles (North and South) stand above the pond's northeastern shore. These hills were also shaped by the glaciers. The southern end of the pond is held in place by rocks and dirt left by the glaciers, along with a small, human-made dam.
The water in Jordan Pond is incredibly clear. You can usually see down about 44 feet (13.4 m) into the water. Sometimes, you can even see up to 61 feet (18.6 m) deep! These are some of the clearest water readings in all of Maine. The pond's water has lots of oxygen, which is good for fish. It also has very few plant nutrients, so not many plants grow in the water itself.
You can enjoy some types of boating on Jordan Pond. However, people and pets are not allowed to go into the water. This is because the pond is the main source of drinking water for the nearby village of Seal Harbor.
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Visiting Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park
Many people who visit Acadia National Park come to Jordan Pond. Park officials believe that about 60% of all park visitors stop by the pond. Most visitors head to the famous tea-house located at the southern end of the pond.
There is a walking trail that goes all the way around the pond. From this trail, you can find other paths that lead to different parts of the park. One of the park's original carriage trails, built for horse-drawn carriages, runs along a ridge next to the pond.
The Jordan Pond House History
The pond is named after the Jordan family, who lived in Seal Harbor. They built a farmhouse near the pond many years ago. In the 1870s, a restaurant called the Jordan Pond House was built there.
From 1895 to 1946, the McIntire family managed the restaurant. During this time, it became a very popular spot for important social events. Later, John D. Rockefeller Jr., a famous wealthy person, bought the restaurant. He then gave it to the National Park Service so everyone could enjoy it.
Sadly, the original Jordan Pond House burned down in June 1979. But people raised money to build a new one. Today, the Jordan Pond House has a gift shop and a restaurant. They serve lunch and dinner. The restaurant is especially famous for its tea and delicious popovers. You can enjoy these treats on the enclosed porch or outside on the lawn, with a beautiful view of the pond.
Plants and Animals of Jordan Pond
Jordan Pond is home to many interesting plants and animals.
Pond Plants and Their Life Cycle
For a while, people thought Jordan Pond was the only place where a special type of plant called a quillwort grew. This plant was once known as Isoetes macróspora var. heteróspora. However, scientists now know it's the same as Isoetes lacustris, which is found in both North America and Europe.
Besides this one, four other types of quillworts also grow in the lake. You can also find three kinds of pondweed, two types of rushes, two types of bur-reeds, and two kinds of carnivorous bladderworts. Bladderworts are cool because they trap tiny insects for food! At least six other plant species also live in the pond.
Fish Species and Their Reproduction
Many different kinds of fish live in Jordan Pond. These include landlocked Atlantic salmon, lake trout, brook trout, and rainbow smelt. You can also find four types of minnows, banded killifish, three-spined stickleback, pumpkinseed sunfish, and the American eel.
Some of these fish, like the landlocked salmon, lake trout, smelt, sticklebacks, and at least one type of minnow, were put into the lake by humans. This is often done to help with fishing or to support the lake's ecosystem.
