Lake of the Woods is in good shape.  The State of the Basin report, a compilation of results from all previous studies of Lake of the Woods, released Wednesday at the 6th annual International Lake of the Woods Water Quality Forum, gathered data going back more than 50 years and will offer future researchers a base line to start from.  The report took two years to put together and is the first output of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation's collaborations with the governments of Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota. 

In addition to compiling existing data, the report shows gaps where more research is needed, including the effect of three-weeks less ice cover and the cause of blue-green algae.  Download (normal resolution 9 mb)   Download (max. resolution 54 mb) 

Executive director Todd Sellers said although there has been some of the potentially toxic algae on the lake, it generally occurs at low levels and is "not of great concern for drinking water." Sellers said the report noted extended research where the green-blue algae covers the lake and what can be done to address it.

Despite this week's snowstorm closing roads, more than 60 of the expected 80 attendees spent two days and an evening taking in presentations, including an update of a Trent University, St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and Ontario Ministry of the Environment study of phosphorus levels and water quality.

The most encouraging part, Sellers said, was a letter forwarded to the Minister of Foreign Affairs from the Manitoba government supporting the foundation's push for an International Joint Commission reference for a water pollution board on Lake of the Woods. A similar letter was forwarded in January by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.