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Centennial Lake Study

 

In 1998, PACTS received a four-year grant from the Howard Hughes Foundation. In the grant, the PACTS program proposed to take on a new challenge. Almost in the center of the Fairmount Park system is a beautiful pond that most people cruise past near Belmont Avenue. The pond is called Centennial Lake, and its origins begin with the 1876 Centennial Exposition. PEERS students continue to study, measure the pond's health, and restore the pond. This spring, Centennial Lake survived a drainage dilemma, which resulted in extremely low water level. PEERS and the Philadelphia Water Department's second fish assessment on April 10, 2004 was postponed because of the low level of water. PEERS students were disappointed that Centennial Lake's water level was low because they were concerned for the health of the fish that live in the pond. PEERS students continue to contribute to the pond by monitoring the water quality and engaging in ongoing restoration to the pond. PEERS students and the Philadelphia Water Department are anxious to reschedule their second fish assessment.

beforeafter
Centennial Lake's water level was extremely low in early spring 2004 (L), but by the summer, it had been restored to what you see on the right.


Hear what PACTS/PEERS students have to say about their experiences at Centennial Lake. Click on the images below (or select your own type of video clip that suits your connection speed from the links below the images) to hear first-hand accounts of a day of science study and of general experiences in the PACTS program.

          
4.2M QT, 1.0M QT                    5.7M QT, 1.4M QT                     4.2M QT, 1.0M QT
          
4.7M QT, 1.1M QT                     5.3M QT, 1.3M QT                     5.0M QT, 1.2M QT

 

What is Centennial Lake?
Test Results
Wildlife and Plant Observations
Pond Testing Teams
Pond Testing in Schools
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