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Welcome to Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation

Our Vision for the Lake of the Woods basin: majestic waters with sustainable ecological integrity supporting health, economies and beneficial uses for current and future generations. Our Mission: To ensure the ecological integrity of Lake of the Woods and its watershed by being a champion for the Lake and a trusted essential partner with all stakeholders

November 9, 2018

IJC Watershed Board reviewing Objectives and Alert Levels for water quality and ecosystem health

The IJC Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board is setting its sights on updating Objectives and Alert Levels for water quality and aquatic ecosystem health in our watershed. The existing international Objectives and Aert Levels are outdated and not aligned to current priority issues.

Phase 1 of the project started in November and will engage experts and stakeholders to refine priorities and propose needs, options and potential metrics or indicators.

Public calls for action from Canada to cut phosphorus in Lake of the Woods

A vocal, engaged and committed crowd of 200 citizens concerned about toxic and nuisance algae in Lake of the Woods gathered at the Clarion Hotel in Kenora, Aug. 15, 2018 to learn what is being done to address the problem.

Many attendees, led by former Prime Minister John Turner, voiced strongly a demand for Canada to “get on with it” and take action immediately to combat algae blooms jointly with Minnesota, in its plan to cut phosphorus by 18.4%.

IJC Recommends Immediate Interim Phosphorus Targets for Lake of the Woods

Following a presentation from the International Rainy – Lake of the Woods Watershed Board in Washington D.C., the International Joint Commission endorsed and submitted the Board’s recommendations for immediate interim phosphorus reductions in Lake of the Woods to the Governments of Canada and the United States.

Read the full June 13, 2018 IJC Press Release on "Immediate Interim Phosphorus Targets Recommended for Lake of the Woods"

Background Document: IJC Letter to Governments