Zebra mussels found in more lakes in watershed
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.
One watershed: One Plan
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.
Storm drain stenciling: Engaging youth in protecting our water
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.
Call for Abstracts: 2018 International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum
March 7-8, 2018: Rainy River Community College, International Falls, Minnesota
Overview: Symposium for researchers and resource managers working in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed.
Themes: Climate change, nutrients & algae, invasive species, paleolimnology, fisheries, and new techniques — advances in monitoring, remote sensing, modeling, data management and visualization.
Abstract Deadline: January 12, 2018. Submisssion details, please see www.lowwsf.com/abstract-submission
More Info: at the Foundation’s website www.lowwsf.com/watershed-forum.
Environment Canada Science Program: Fall 2017 Update
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: ECCC Science Info Session Posters – August 4, 2017 Kenora
You’re Invited to a Lake of the Woods Science Information Session in Kenora
Environment and Climate Change Canada in associaton with the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation will be holding a public information session in Kenora on the science underway to address toxic and nuicance algae blooms on Lake of the Woods.
The session will include a series of posters on the program and ECCC scientists and staff will be present to answer questions. The session will also include information and staff from our partners at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change and as well as information from our partners at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Please join us Monday August 14, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Clarion Lakeside Inn, Kenora Ontario.
LOWBREWCO Charity Pints Program
A Growler sized thank you to the team at the Lake of the Woods Brewing Co for its generous support of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation during 2016. We are honoured to have been one of five charities supported by the LOWBREWCO Charity Pints Program.
Each month during 2016, they picked one of their craft beers and donated ….
Science & Policy Converge at Forum
When science and policy begin to converge, we’re on the right track. In addition to research studies, this year’s science Forum highlighted policy efforts underway to put a binational plan in place for the Lake of the Woods basin, with presentations from Global Affairs Canada and the Rt. Honourable Robert Nault, Member of Parliament for Kenora, and a video address by U.S. Senator Al Franken.
Minnesota Scientist Mark Edlund Honoured at 2017 Forum
Congratulations to Dr. Mark Edlund, recipient of the 2017 Kallemeyn Award, recognizing his contributions to research and resource management in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Basin.
International research collaborations led by Mark are providing the keys to unlocking the Lake of the Woods story about what is causing the blooms of blue green algae.
Environment Canada Starts Work
Scientists from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) started work on Lake of the Woods this winter. They collected samples to characterized the water chemistry, algae community, nutrient conditions, and the role of nutrient release from the sediments under low oxygen conditions under ice cover, in contributing to the nutrient loads and summer algae blooms. The ECCC crew will be on the lake in June and September.