In this article, Bev Clark takes a look at what we've learned about Lake of the Woods from some of the key science published in the 2017 special issue of the Journal of Lake and Reservoir Management that was devoted entirely to Lake of the Woods. How has the lake changed? Are we still paying for our past sins from phosphorus pollution built up in the lake bottom? And what role does climate change have?
Minnesota’s plan to cut phosphorus entering Lake of the Woods was submitted to US EPA for review last fall as the first step in the approval process. The MPCA is currently responding to the federal review, prior to taking the plan forward through a formal public consultation period, anticipated for later this summer. We’ll keep you informed via the Foundation’s website and e-news about progress on the Minnesota plan and opportunities for public input.
Watch for word coming out for public meetings in Minnesota (International Falls, Baudette and Warroad) and a WebEx online conference for folks in Canada and others who cannot attend in person.
The satellite view from space is compelling of blue green algae blooms covering Lake of the Woods. Dr. Caren Binding of ECCC is harnessing these images for near real-time tracking of algae blooms and to develop indices of bloom severity, intensity, extent and duration. These indices may prove to be very useful in monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of efforts to cutting phosphorus to reduce harmful algae blooms.
Profiles of this project and the other science projects underway by Environment and Climate Change Canada on Lake of the Woods are available at the Foundation’s website: www.lowwsf.com/eccc-science.
The
pdf
Proceeedings Report of the 2019 International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum(13.11 MB)
is now available.
Lake of the Woods and its watershed went under the microscope again at the 2019 International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum, March 13-14 at the Rainy River Community College in International Falls, Minnesota.
The Report on the Forum features 34 presentations during the two-day symposium and posters sessions. There were focus session on: binational updates, federal Canadian science, ecosystem studies at the Experimental Lakes Area, and management implications of research completed over the past decade.
Pierre Béland, Merrell-Ann Phare and Henry Lickers take oaths of office as IJC Canadian Commissioners
Friday, May 17, 2019
At a meeting of the International Joint Commission (IJC), Commissioners Pierre Béland, Merrell-Ann Phare and F. Henry Lickers made a solemn declaration to faithfully and impartially perform the duties assigned under the Boundary Waters Treaty.
Jane Corwin, Robert Sisson and Lance Yohe confirmed as IJC U.S. Commissioners
Date
May 17, 2019
The International Joint Commission (IJC) is pleased to announce that the appointment of Jane Corwin as US Section chair, and Robert Sisson and Lance Yohe as US Section Commissioners has been confirmed by the US Senate.
Last fall, the IJC began a study to recommend new water quality and aquatic ecosystem health objectives and alert levels for our boundary waters like the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. Objectives require international agreement (e.g., like the phosphorus objectives agreed to by Canada and the United States for the Great Lakes). Alert levels are trigger levels for the IJC to warn governments of potential problems, for substances or issues where there are no internationally agreed upon objectives.
On March 13-14, 2019 Lake of the Woods and its watershed went under the microscope at the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum. Over 160 researchers and members of the public attended the symposium sessions, featuring 34 research presentations covering a wide range of topics, including studies of nutrients and algae, satellite remote sensing tools, water quality models, beavers, fish and more. There were dedicated sessions for the Canadian federal science projects on Lake of the Woods and Science at the IISD-Experimental Lakes Area.