You’ve got until March 15th to download for free, some of the seminal research that is unlocking the mystery of what is causing algae blooms on Lake of the Woods.
Our science partners working on Lake of the Woods have put together a special issue of the Journal of Lake and Reservoir Management (Volume 33, Issue 4) devoted entirely to Lake of the Woods with free public access to this paid-subscription scientific journal. View online or Download pdf files of the research papers until March 15 at: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ulrm20/33/4
Read more: Lake of the Woods Special Issue Open Access - Lake and Reservoir Management
A big "thank you" to all who have invested in the future of Lake of the Woods by donating to the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation or by helping us at public meetings. Your gifts and support are helping to develop a sustainability plan for our lake. A key element will be standards and reduction targets for phosphorus, responsible for the algae blooms.
The local governments within the Minnesota portion of the Lake of the Woods Watershed are collaborating together on a watershed-based plan known as the One Watershed, One Plan. Those governments include Lake of the Woods County, Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Warroad River Watershed District, Roseau County and Roseau SWCD. The ultimate goal of the planning effort is to implement water management activities on a watershed basis, spanning jurisdictional boundaries.
Only Rain Down the Drain! That’s the message behind a binational storm drain stenciling project this past summer. Our Foundation's Watershed Coordination Program engaged youth and the communities of Fort Frances and Kenora, Ontario and International Falls, Minnesota to paint messages beside storm drains next to Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. The messages are reminders to take care of what goes into those storm drains. These drains lead directly to the river and lake, without treatment. Soap used for car washing, oils, gas and greases, fertilizers on lawns and other contaminants can get washed down into these drains with overland flow.
Read more: Storm drain stenciling: Engaging youth in protecting our water
Algae blooms during late summer and fall on Lake of the Woods remain a concern that was highlighted by the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board at it's meetings with IJC Commissioners in Ottawa, October 25, 2017.
The view from space is compelling with blue green algae blooms widespread across the southern basin - "the Big Traverse" beginning in early summer. By fall, blooms covered most of the lake including in the middle channel and north central basin around Kenora. Blooms persisted well into late October.
Read more: Lake of the Woods algae highlighted at IJC Watershed Board meetings in Ottawa
The IJC Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board released its annual report on water quality and aquatic ecosystem health, covering the period of 2015-2016. The primary focus is on inputs of the nutrient phosphorus to the Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River as a priority issue of concern. Other indicators of aquatic ecosystem health are covered for many of the major boundary water lakes in the watershed.
Read more: IJC watershed board releases aquatic ecosystem health report
Zebra mussels have not made it into Lake of the Woods or the Rainy River, yet. But they have invaded several headwaters upstream in the watershed. On October 30, 2017 Minnesota DNR confirmed that zebra mussels in Dora Lake and the upper reaches of the Big Fork River, downstream of Sand Lake MN where zebra mussels were first confirmed in our watershed in 2013.
On August 14th, 2017 Environment and Climate change Canada (ECCC) scientists and staff hosted a day-long public information session in Kenora. The event showcased the science underway to better understand the issue of toxic and nuisance algae in the Lake of the Woods and what actions are needed to ensure a healthy lake now and into the future.
A series of posters displays were presented, summarizing the research project underway: pdf ECCC Science Info Session Posters - August 4, 2017 Kenora (7.85 MB)
Read more: Environment Canada Science Program: Fall 2017 Update