Water Quality Monitoring Network
Since 2014, the MWC has partnered with Algonquin College’s Office of Applied Research and the Environmental Technician Program to collect monthly water quality and quantity samples at 24 sites from May-November within the Watershed. The 24 sites were selected by a group of local and regional professionals and scientists, as well as some farmers and community members with knowledge of the Watershed.
After the water is collected (sampled), the samples are shipped to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (OMECP) to be analyzed at their accredited lab. To date, the MECP has contributed approximately $100,000 of in-kind lab analysis for the Watershed.
What does this information do for the Watershed?
Data on the overall water quality of the Watershed can help to inform us about where we should focus our efforts on remediation and/or best management practices implementation. In collecting data on water quality, we are gathering important information about the current conditions of the Watershed. Year-to-year information allows us to develop a kind of inventory, or “story”, of what’s happening at a biophysical level within the Watershed. This helps us to understand the potential impacts on our community and work together to collaborate on ways to see a lasting positive change in our Watershed and our community.
For more information, please read the MWC Muskrat Lake Watershed Quality 2014 and 2019 Reports, written by Dr. Rebecca L. Dalton, Research Scientist (Biologist and Environmental Toxicologist).
