Welcome to the world's freshwater laboratory

IISD Experimental Lakes Area is one of the most influential freshwater research facilities on Earth.

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These 58 lakes are like no others on the planet

IISD Experimental Lakes Area is the world’s freshwater laboratory—the only place in the world where scientists can manipulate real lakes to understand what human activity does to fresh water.

Discover the Lakes and the Faces That Make Us Who We Are

Our Impact

As one of the world’s most influential freshwater research facilities, we conduct experiments on real lakes and ecosystems—one of the only places in the world you can do this.

Here’s what people are saying about us and how we respond to their fresh water challenges.

It was very motivating to see and work with such a diverse group of students who are all interested in science. And it was nice to be able to pass on knowledge to the next group of scientists and university students.

Claire (student from the Docker laboratory)

Working with nets at the ELA
Working with kids at the ELA

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