lakes

Graphic Truth: When it comes to freshwater, Canada is king

Graphic Truth: When it comes to freshwater, Canada is king

Water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface, but good ol’ H2O is a much more precious resource than it appears. Less than 0.8% of Earth’s water is freshwater in lakes, rivers, or underground aquifers. And much of that already tiny fraction has been rendered unusable by pollution or is lost to poor management and inefficient agricultural practices. What’s worse, climate change and overexploitation of existing water resources mean that communities from California to Cambodia are struggling to provide safe water at an affordable price.

Reducing road salt use 'not something that can wait' as Ontario lakes see oxygen depletion, researcher says

Reducing road salt use 'not something that can wait' as Ontario lakes see oxygen depletion, researcher says

The move to reduce the amount of road salt during the winter months can't wait because Ontario's groundwater and lakes are showing "very rapid salinization," researchers at the University of Waterloo say. "We actually use a lot of salt, and salt is a very effective way to keep roads, sidewalks and parking lots free of ice, and that, of course, is important in terms of ensuring the safety of road users and pedestrians," said Philippe Van Cappellen, a professor and researcher at the school, as well as the Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate in Ecohydrology

Discover the 9 Clearest Lakes in Canada

Discover the 9 Clearest Lakes in Canada

Canada has well over 800,000 lakes, making it the country with the most lakes in the world. With so many lakes, you can imagine it’s hard to choose just one to visit. Most of the lakes in Canada are clear and perfect for swimming and exploring. But which lakes are the clearest? Can you swim in the lakes? Follow along to discover the 9 clearest lakes in Canada and fun facts about each.

Lakes in Kootenay and Yoho National Parks closed after suspected whirling disease

Lakes in Kootenay and Yoho National Parks closed after suspected whirling disease

All bodies of water in Kootenay and Yoho National Parks have been closed for the next five months after a suspected case of whirling disease was reported in British Columbia's southeast Rocky Mountains. Parks Canada says in a news release it's the first time the microscopic parasite that causes the fatal disease in fish has been detected in the province.

The 10 Countries With the Most Lakes in 2024

The 10 Countries With the Most Lakes in 2024

While it is incredibly difficult to count all the lakes in different countries on the planet due to conflicting ideas on what constitutes a lake, this has not stopped expert scientists and researchers from trying. Geographers from McGill University in Canada conducted a recent study on all lakes on Earth to study their effect on the global climate. From this study, a list of countries with the world’s largest number of lakes was created.

Why Does Canada Have So Many Lakes? Water, Water Everywhere

Why Does Canada Have So Many Lakes? Water, Water Everywhere

Growing up, I was always surrounded by the serene beauty of lakes. From family picnics by the shores of Lake Ontario to my first canoeing experience in the pristine waters of Lake Louise, lakes have been an integral part of my identity. Their vastness, depth, and the life they support have always fascinated me. Today, I invite you on a journey to explore some of the most interesting facts about Canadian lakes, interwoven with personal memories and reflections.

'We're hoping for some more rain': Extremely low N.W.T. water levels raise concerns about the future

'We're hoping for some more rain': Extremely low N.W.T. water levels raise concerns about the future

Water levels in rivers and lakes of the central and southern Northwest Territories are at — or near — record lows this year after an extremely hot and dry stretch lasting months. "It's been steadily decreasing all summer and, as a result, the Mackenzie River downstream is also extremely low and record low at different locations," said Ryan Connon, a hydrologist with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Alberta scientists tracking blue-green algae blooms using satellite imagery

Alberta scientists tracking blue-green algae blooms using satellite imagery

A team of experts is working to better understand the spread of blue-green algae in Alberta lakes by combining satellite technology with near-simultaneous water sampling. The project, funded through Alberta Innovates, is a collaboration between several groups, including Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS), the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI), and researcher Rolf Vinebrooke from the University of Alberta.

Canada's lakes are becoming less blue — but that could be good for fish

Canada's lakes are becoming less blue — but that could be good for fish

If you drive the Icefields Parkway through the Canadian Rockies, you'll pass multiple turquoise-coloured lakes that are popular with tourists for taking photos. The lakes get their iconic colour from rock flour, which is similar in appearance to baker's flour used for making bread. Rock flour is made from glaciers grinding rocks into powder, which can take thousands of years. 

Ontario Supporting Local Projects to Protect the Great Lakes

Ontario Supporting Local Projects to Protect the Great Lakes

The Ontario government is investing $6 million to support 30 multi-year projects to help protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes. These investments will help reduce plastic litter, excess nutrients and road salt entering lakes, rivers and streams, advance climate resiliency, and make significant progress on restoring environmentally degraded areas of the Great Lakes.

No need to stay out of all water, but use caution as blue-green algae reports increase

No need to stay out of all water, but use caution as blue-green algae reports increase

Blue-green algae continues to show up in lakes across the province. Halifax Regional Municipality closed Cunard Lake Beach in Williams Lake on Thursday morning because of a bloom of the toxic algae, which can sicken people and kill pets within a short time.

2 Halifax-area lakes closed due to high bacteria levels

2 Halifax-area lakes closed due to high bacteria levels

Two lakes in the Halifax-area are closed to swimming after high bacteria levels were found in the water. Kearney Lake Beach and Albro Lake Beach – both supervised beaches -- are closed until further notice. A municipal news release Thursday said recent test results show bacteria levels at the beaches exceed Health Canada swimming guidelines.

Canada Day boaters urged to be diligent about preventing spread of invasive mussels

Canada Day boaters urged to be diligent about preventing spread of invasive mussels

Summer has arrived in the Southern Interior, and those who look after our water are trying to keep unwanted guests out of the region. As tourists and locals alike head to area lakes, the Okanagan Basin Water Board and Okanagan-Similkameen Invasive Species Society remind boaters to clean, drain and dry their watercraft before putting them in local lakes. Anyone bringing any type of watercraft into the province, including kayaks and paddleboards, is reminded to stop at all mussel inspection stations along the way. For 11 years, the Don’t Move a Mussel campaign has been raising awareness of the potential impacts of invasive zebra and quagga mussels. To date, there have been no reported introductions of live zebra or quagga mussels into B.C. lakes. But, once introduced to a water body, invasive mussels can rapidly multiply and form dense colonies, leading to significant ecological and economic consequences.

Blue-green algae in 16 lakes across Nova Scotia already

Blue-green algae in 16 lakes across Nova Scotia already

The province’s Environment and Climate Change Department says 16 lakes have been identified as having toxic blue-green algae so far this year, with all reports coming in June. At the same point last year only eight lakes had been identified as having a bloom of the algae. Elizabeth Kennedy, the director of the water branch for the department, said that while there may be more instances this year because of hot and dry weather in May and June, the department has also been pushing its awareness campaign so more people could be reporting sightings.

Ontario bans 'floating homes' from overnight stays on lakes

Ontario bans 'floating homes' from overnight stays on lakes

The province's ban will prohibit the floating homes from staying overnight on public waterways. The restrictions will take effect on July 1, according to a regulation posted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The ban will only apply to what the province calls "floating accommodations," defined in the regulation as floating structures designed primarily for residential purposes and not primarily for navigation. Sailboats, houseboats, cabin cruisers or other traditional watercraft are not prohibited from overnight stays.

Northern Sask. Grade 11 student earns national recognition for research on blue-green algae in lakes

Northern Sask. Grade 11 student earns national recognition for research on blue-green algae in lakes

It was widely believed that cyanobacteria wasn't in lakes far north in Saskatchewan because the water was too cold, but a Grade 11 student at the Clearwater River Dene School is disproving those theories. Ava Haynes' research on cyanobacteria — also known as blue-green algae — in lakes near her home community in northwestern Saskatchewan earned her a Bronze Excellence Award at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton last month.

High levels of E. coli bacteria close 2 Moncton lakes

High levels of E. coli bacteria close 2 Moncton lakes

The City of Moncton says Jones Lake and the lake at Centennial Park are closed to recreational use until further notice because of high E. coli counts. The city issued a public advisory Wednesday, saying routine testing found high counts of the fecal bacteria. The lakes are closed for swimming, kayaking, canoeing and other recreational activities, and dogs should not be allowed to swim in or drink the water.

An Indigenous approach to understanding water

An Indigenous approach to understanding water

“siwɬkʷ (WATER) IS SACRED AND IS LIFE FOR ALL PEOPLE. We know from our histories and our knowledge that water is one of the most important resources available to humans and animals.” But for Dawn Machin and Sarah Alexis, both from snƛ̓x̌ʷx̌ʷtan (Six-Mile Creek area in the North Arm of Okanagan Lake), there’s a disconnect between what water represents to humanity and how it’s perceived.

Province says blue-green algae detected in 4 Nova Scotia lakes

Province says blue-green algae detected in 4 Nova Scotia lakes

The Nova Scotia government has detected blue-green algae in Oat Hill Lake in Dartmouth, Armstrong Lake and Lake Torment in Kings County, and Covey Lake in Lunenburg County. The algae produces toxins that can cause illness in humans and can be fatal to pets. Blue-green algae occurs in all parts of Nova Scotia and once it appears in a body of water, it will bloom again when the conditions are right.

Supreme Court Decision Undercuts U.S. Clean Water Act

Supreme Court Decision Undercuts U.S. Clean Water Act

The United States Supreme Court has curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s authority to protect wetlands from pollution, a ruling that some experts and justices say goes too far by positioning the court as “the national decision-maker on environmental policy.” On May 25, the court ruled that only wetlands with a “continuous surface connection” to larger streams, lakes, and rivers fall under federal protection. This is the second major legal blow to the federal government’s powers for environmental protection, after last year’s SCOTUS decision that the Clean Air Act does not grant the EPA broad authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants that contribute to global warming.