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What is PLEON? 
The Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network is a regional lake monitoring program focused on educating the public and lake associations on water quality and lake management. 

Our goals:
  • Empower the public to better understand and manage their fresh waters
  • Create a community of scientists, students, environmental educators, and landowners to work together in improving the ecological state of Pennsylvania’s lake ecosystems
  • Provide ongoing monitoring data on lakes and ensuring that land owners fully understand the advantages and limitations of different lake management approaches

Why PLEON?
Lakes are ecological treasures that form the economic backbone of tourism in the Pocono region. They provide both recreational enjoyment as well as critical habitat for a variety of wildlife, including plants and animals. 

Lakes are complex ecosystems, and effective management requires good data as well as an understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of lakes and their surrounding catchments.

Despite their aesthetic, recreational, and environmental importance, we know little about water quality in our Pocono lakes. Neither the state nor regional counties offer regular surveys to provide data essential for good management of these complex ecosystems. Increasing concerns about harmful algal blooms throughout the region make responsible lake management of central importance to the health of these ecosystems and the people, pets, and wildlife that depend on them. ​

Upcoming PLEON Events and News

PLEON hiring a 2021 summer intern!
PLEON seeks an undergraduate intern to assist with all aspects of the PLEON program. ​Students working towards a degree in the natural sciences and/or an interest in aquatic ecology, conservation, management are encouraged to apply. Previous field or laboratory research experience in freshwater ecosystems is preferred. Review of applications will begin February 22, 2021. See the Internships page for details and to apply!
2020 Wallenpaupack Community-Led Water Quality Monitoring Report
Thank you to all the volunteers who collected data for the 2020 Wallenpaupack Community-Led Water Quality Monitoring Program. The Data Report and a recording of the Results Recap Zoom Workshop are available on our Citizen Science page. 
Notice to Managers and Users of Lake Wallenpaupack from the Pennsylvania Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force
UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
The PA Harmful Algae Task Force has issued a notice regarding the algal bloom in Lake Wallenpaupack. See the notice here. 
PA Department of Environmental Protection HABs Survey
PLEON is working with the PA DEP to survey lakes and ponds in Northeastern PA for Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs). If you think your water body is experiencing a HAB, contact Beth Norman for sampling details.

Lake Monitoring



​PLEON Scientists

Workshops

Lake Science

Citizen Science

Contact Us

​Lacawac Sanctuary
ATTN: PLEON
94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel PA 18436

(570) 689-9494

Beth Norman, PhD
Director of Science and Research
beth.norman@lacawac.org