'First Sign Of Spring' Found In The Hudson River: See It Here

WEST VILLAGE, NY — While the winter season seems like it stretches every year, scientists from the Hudson River Park Trust recently announced findings that show spring is almost upon us.

The discovery was actually one made below the surface of the Hudson River, as one of the biggest changes to happen each spring within the west side of Manhattan park is a phenomenon called a "plankton bloom."

As conditions become just right with the fading away winter, troves of plankton begin to reproduce and multiply rapidly.

Scientists from Hudson River Park, which runs four miles along Manhattan's west side, from 59th Street to Battery Park, said the bloom happens for two main reasons.

• The phenomenon starts in late winter when we start to get more sunlight, which warms the water and provides more energy for photosynthesis.
• The change in water temperature leads to "seasonal mixing," during which phytoplankton can make use of the materials needed to successfully grow and reproduce.

The growing plankton population means the spring season is right around the corner, which the Hudson River Park actually has a countdown for on its website.

According to the Trust, the start of spring happens in New York on Saturday.