Studies are being done on the Thames River to identify ways to reduce phosphorus into Lake Erie.
Excess nutrients, like phosphorus, contribute to the growth of algae blooms, and the federal government has set a target to reduce these nutrient loads by 40%.
Karen Maaskant,Water Quality Specialist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, says studies have already been done to identify when nutrient loads are highest.
“Most of our loads of phosphorus comes through in the springtime, and also that the type of year makes a big difference,” says Maaskant. “We know from our study that wet years contribute as much as four times the load of phosphorus as dry years.”
An organization called the Thames River Clear Water Revival has begun looking for ways to improve water quality, and to bring all levels of government, First Nations, and Conservation Authorities together to focus on the issue.