Historical phosphorous deposits still causing algae blooms

The Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation continues to study blue-green algae blooms.

Teika Newton says most of the algae is caused by phosphorous.

She says a lot of the buildup goes back to the 1950’s in the Rainy River.

“This is a progression that the lake is slowly flushing,” Newton explained to Kenora city council recently.

“It’s flushing at a rate of about one percent per year, so overtime it will clean itself up. We need to not add more nutrient to it, while it does that and ideally find ways for there to be removals, if we can.”

Newton says their goal now is to limit the amount of phosphorous going into the lake.

“We’re basically not dictating anything to anyone. We’re working with the community to crowd-source recommendations for actions that different sectors and user groups can take to try to contribute to reducing the amount of phosphorous in the system.”

Newton says most of the algae blooms start at the south end of the lake, and gradually head north, if the weather conditions are right.