Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond is an oligotrophic tarn in Acadia National Park near the town of Bar Harbor, Maine. It covers, with a maximum depth of and a shoreline of 3.6mi.The pond was formed by the Wisconsin Ice Sheet during the last glacial period. It is flanked on the west by Penobscot Mountain and to the northeast by the two mountains known as "The Bubbles". The southern end, and outflow, are limited by the natural Jordan Pond moraine, which has been supplemented by a small dam.The pond has clear water, with visibility normally and occasions of up to recorded, the deepest in Maine. It serves as the water supply for the village of Seal Harbor. It does not experience dissolved oxygen depletion in the depths of the lake.Some types of boating are permitted, but human beings and pets must stay out of the water.Park usagePark officials estimate that roughly 60 percent of park visitors will visit the pond, primarily the tea-house at the southern end, at some point in their stay. The pond is ringed by a walking trail, from which branch off trails to or over several other park features. One of the park's original carriage trails runs along a ridge adjoining the pond.The Jordan family of Seal Harbor, for whom the pond is named, built a farmhouse near the pond. In the 1870s a restaurant known as the Jordan Pond House was built. Under the management of the McIntires, which ran from 1895 to 1946, the restaurant became a regular location for high society events. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. purchased the restaurant and gave it to the National Park Service. The original building was destroyed by fire in June 1979, and a new building was financed through private fund raising. The Jordan Pond House has a gift shop and a restaurant serving lunch and dinner; it is perhaps best known for its service of tea and popovers both on the enclosed veranda and outdoors on the lawn overlooking the pond.