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Data Set ID:
G01377

Global Lake and River Ice Phenology Database, Version 1

The Global Lake and River Ice Phenology Database contains freeze and thaw/breakup dates as well as other descriptive ice cover data for 865 lakes and rivers in the Northern Hemisphere. Of the 542 water bodies that have records longer than 19 years, 370 of them are in North America and 172 are in Eurasia. 249 lakes and rivers have records longer than 50 years, and 66 have records longer than 100 years. A few water bodies have data available prior to 1845. This database, with water bodies distributed around the Northern Hemisphere, allows for the analysis of broad spatial patterns as well as long-term temporal patterns.

This is the most recent version of these data.

Version Summary:

Initial release.

Parameter(s):
  • SNOW/ICE > FREEZE/THAW > Freeze Date
  • Breakup Date
  • Ice Duration
  • SNOW/ICE > FREEZE/THAW
  • SNOW/ICE > LAKE ICE
  • SNOW/ICE > RIVER ICE
Data Format(s):
  • ASCII Text
Spatial Coverage:
N: 82.5, 
S: 36.15, 
E: 149.3, 
W: -140.4
Platform(s):GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS
Spatial Resolution:
  • Varies
Sensor(s):VISUAL OBSERVATIONS
Temporal Coverage:
  • 1 January 0874 to 2 February 2018
(updated 2020)		Version(s):V1
Temporal ResolutionVariesMetadata XML:View Metadata Record
Data Contributor(s):Barbara Benson, John Magnuson, Florence Fetterer

Geographic Coverage

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As a condition of using these data, you must cite the use of this data set using the following citation. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.

Benson, B., J. Magnuson, and S. Sharma. 2000, updated 2020. Global Lake and River Ice Phenology Database, Version 1. [Indicate subset used]. Boulder, Colorado USA. NSIDC: National Snow and Ice Data Center. doi: https://doi.org/10.7265/N5W66HP8. [Date Accessed].

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