Archived News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

June 9, 2009

Manitoba Joins Ontario and Minnesota in Research to Improve Water Quality in Lake of the Woods: Melnick



Manitoba has joined with its neighbours in Ontario and Minnesota and is contributing $75,000 to conduct joint studies on water quality in Lake of the Woods, Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick announced today.
 
“Improving water quality within our shared basin will be of great benefit to Lake of the Woods and, ultimately, will benefit Lake Winnipeg,” Melnick said. “We are most thankful for the vision of our strong partners in Ontario and Minnesota and are pleased to work together to make a difference in our environment.”
 
“Like Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods is suffering from excess nutrients that are causing large and frequent blooms of nuisance algae,” Melnick said.  “The research will identify the sources of nutrients making their way into Lake of the Woods.”
 
While only about four per cent of Lake of the Woods is in Manitoba, it is a very important recreational resource enjoyed by many Manitobans, said the minister.  Under some circumstances, Lake of the Woods contributes water to Shoal Lake, which provides drinking water to the city of Winnipeg and its water eventually flows to Lake Winnipeg through the Winnipeg River. 
 
Researchers from Manitoba Water Stewardship will work with researchers from Trent University in Ontario, St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in collaboration with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Environment Canada and the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation, which will co-ordinate the work.
 
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