Blog

How We Do, Video | Nov 9, 2018

In this short video, Lee and Cyndy take us through the process of setting up cameras so we can spy on our lakes.

Yep, you read right—SPY.

Commentary | Oct 29, 2018

Accuracy. Precision. Consistency. These three words embody the key objectives of any analytical laboratory. Sonya Havens explains how IISD-ELA works to ensure those standards.

Photo Essays | Oct 10, 2018

We invited Winnipeg-based artist and designer James Culleton, to spend some time out at IISD Experimental Lakes Area to experience it in all its majesty, and let us experience it anew through his eyes. Take a look at what he came up with.

Research highlights | Oct 4, 2018

Stephanie Graves spent her summer seeing how selenium builds up in foodwebs in lakes—all to see if it could end up in fish and ultimately humans. Let’s head out with Stephanie on a boat across Lake 239 so she can show us how the research is done.

Photo Essays, Research highlights | Sep 3, 2018

Every week, researchers at the world’s freshwater laboratory head out to add phosphorus to Lake 227 as part of our long-term monitoring of algal blooms. Come and join Scott Higgins as he takes us out on the boat and shows it how it’s done…

Commentary | Aug 28, 2018

“Kofi Annan once said, “[w]ithout good data, we’re flying blind. If you can’t see it, you can’t solve it.” The political and social will to fix aging infrastructure can come from simple data that lets us know how we are affecting the environment and where—and prevent the worst problems before they begin.” Geoffrey Gunn makes the case in the Toronto Star,

Commentary | Aug 14, 2018

Temperature is a key driver of water quality for lakes. But what does that mean? Hydrologist Hisham Osman explains all through a serious of short questions.

Commentary | Jul 20, 2018

If you have ever visited the world’s freshwater laboratory, you may have left a little puzzled by what we call our lakes. Ken Sandilands is here to clear up the IISD-ELA name game for you, once and for all.

Research highlights | Jun 6, 2018

One of the most significant ways that humans affect freshwater around the world is by the construction of dams and the creation of reservoirs. Learn about what happens and how work at IISD-ELA has helped us understand these processes.

Commentary | May 16, 2018

Ever been swimming and experienced a sudden drop in temperature in the water near your feet? We explain the science behind that phenomenon.