'It could go downhill really quickly': Lake Erie Guardians keeping a close eye
A select group of like-minded citizen scientists are keeping a watchful eye on Lake Erie and it’s watershed. No experience needed.
50 people from high school students to retirees were recently chosen to become Lake Erie Guardians from more than 300 applicants earlier this year.
“It’s just amazing to see so many people really want to step up and take part and look after our water and our land really.”
Raj Gill with The Canadian Freshwater Alliance says volunteers began testing with kits at the end of May, noting they were provided by Water Rangers, a non-profit group that records and analyzes water data. “It’s wonderful to be able to have citizens join the monitoring process because it’s a big watershed.” Gill adds, “There’s a lot to cover, so it’s great to involve more people and to have more people learn about the water testing.”
8 different water qualities like temperature and dissolved oxygen are observed and recorded before being entered into the program’s data registry. The group is focused on the Lake Erie watershed, including areas along the St. Clair, Detroit, Thames and Grand rivers.
“Lake Erie definitely faces the most stress.”
Emelia Duguay, the Sustainable Development Coordinator at Water Rangers tells CTV News consistent measuring will give a data baseline that community decision makers can utilize. Duguay notes 2 million Ontarians live in the Lake Erie watershed and rely on its waters for their livelihoods on a daily basis.
“If water temperature increases by one degree, and then we see more algae blooms,” Duguay says “and then the different fish and other organisms are going to suffer accordingly. Humans are going to suffer and it just has a domino effect and it could down hill really quickly.”
“I can look at chlorine content. I can look at conductivity, alkalinity, hardness,”
Sarah Lockhart is one of the guardians, who has made it routine to visit Lake Erie with her family and test kit. “We need to look at nature and our impact on it.”
Lockhart says she hopes to teach her young daughter more about nature while bringing more research to the bigger picture. “Here I am just a mom, being like ‘Hey! Let’s put a data point in!”
Officials say testing will continue throughout the summer and fall. All of the results will be available on a public data platform.
Participants are anticipating future shoreline cleanups and tree planting events. More public opportunities to take part are expected later this year. More information can be found at freshwateralliance.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.