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by Bev Clark, for the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation
If you are concerned about algal blooms in Lake of the Woods or algal blooms anywhere for that matter, then you will hear a great deal about phosphorus concentrations and phosphorus loads. The difference is almost straightforward.
In this article, Bev demystifies the talk about phosphorus and its relationship to algae and how it relates to the types of lakes in our region, ranging from the ultra-clear waters of Lake 224 pictured here to the algae laden green waters of the south end of Lake of the Woods
(Lake 224 photo courtesy of the IISD Experimental Lakes Area)
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Great news for Lake of the Woods in Canada’s Budget 2021. The federal Budget included $1.8 million for Lake of the Woods. This is bridging funding for the current year only, but will allow Environment and Climate Change Canada to maintain research and monitoring activities and continue efforts towards developing phosphorus pollution reduction targets to address toxic algae in the lake. We anticipate that further funding will follow, likely as part of the large-lakes mandate of the Canada Water Agency, currently being established.
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Spiny waterfleas are small aquatic predators native to Eurasia. The first report of spiny waterfleas in North America was in Lake Ontario in 1982 and was introduced to the Great Lakes in ballast water from ocean-going ships. “Spiny” is a species of zooplankton – small animals that rely on water currents and wind to move long distances. They prefer large, deep, clear lakes, but can also be found in shallower waters.
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LakeSmart is an award-winning environmental outreach program unique to the Lake of the Woods area of northwestern Ontario. A signature program of the our sister organization, the Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association (LOWDSA), it is focused on environmental education and helping lake users “live and play green” at the lake. The LakeSmart Boat is now launched and the team looks forward to visiting you.
To contact the LakeSmart team or to book a visit: email
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The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a non-profit organization that works to protect natural areas through securing properties and managing them for the long term, ensuring their ecological integrity. NCC is partnering with the City of Kenora, local residents, cottagers, and campers to protect 82 hectares (202 acres) on Town Island.
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The Proceedings Report of the 2021 International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum is available for download at the Foundation’s website: lowwsf.com/forum-proceedings .Held March 10-11, via Zoom due to Covid-19, over 180 researchers, resource managers, policy makers and members of the public put Lake of the Woods and its watershed under the microscope. The report covers a wide range of subjects: including: watershed governance, aquatic invasive species, nutrients and algae, water regulation and monitoring.
Most presentations were recorded and are available for viewing for a limited time at lowwsf.com/forum-presentations.
Please download a copy of the report or go to the website to view any presentation recordings that are of interest to you.
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All eyes focused “virtually” on our watershed and lakes at the 18th annual International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum, held on March 10 and 11. Over 180 participated – a record attendance, with 21 presentations and Q&A sessions organized into theme groups of Water Governance, Aquatic Invasive Species, Nutrients, Canadian Phosphorus Options, Regulation, and Monitoring.
Priscilla Simard and Mona Gordon, Knowledge Keepers with the Women’s Council of Grand Council Treaty #3 opened the Forum with a prayer and ceremony honouring Nibi (water). Their thoughtful words, reflecting on the need to work together to respect and protect Nibi in our watershed, got our meetings and discussions started in a good way. Welcome addresses focusing on the strong binational collaboration in our watershed were provided by Consul General Ariel Delouya, from the Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis and Consul Brian Koontz, from the U.S. Consulate in Winnipeg.
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By Bev Clark for the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation
For many years now there has been a focus on determining the causes of nuisance algal blooms in Lake of the Woods. We know, based on a volume of scientific evidence, that too much phosphorus is the culprit, and this fact steers the question towards how much phosphorus is too much phosphorus? In order to answer this question, we need to determine:
- How is phosphorus getting into the lake? and then,
- What are the effects of that phosphorus on the algal community?