As temperatures rise and the snow vanishes, the lakes gradually disappear as the water seeps into the ground and evaporates. What once was a lake or pond, often becomes a meadow. Vernal ecosystems provide important habitats for a fascinating web of life. Fairy shrimp thrive for a few brief weeks, laying their eggs before the water disappears. Migratory birds use vernal lakes as critical resting and feeding areas.
Meadows provide foraging habitats for birds and for mammals such as caribou, moose, and voles.
Each creature depends on this changing wilderness to meet its own special needs. Disappearing Lake has always been a magical place for our daughters. Perhaps if you look around your home, school or community, you will discover a lake or pond that disappears. Perhaps you too can discover what lives in this changing habitat. The largest freshwater lake in Alaska is Lake Iliamna, located on the Alaska Peninsula, just north of Katmai National Park.