Applied Research – Current Projects
Visualizing and Quantifying Sources of Nutrients in the Agriculturally-Dependent Muskrat River Watershed
The overall purpose of the “Visualizing and Quantifying Sources of Nutrients in the Agriculturally-Dependent Muskrat River Watershed” project is to document water quality issues in the MRW in relation to current land-use practices, as well as in relation to other potential reasons for nutrient loading. By gathering and analyzing data regarding water quality and quantity, and using spatial tools to classify the landscape and visualize impacts, the project aims to both address and mitigate agricultural impacts by raising awareness and assisting local farmers to better manage nutrients and minimize off-site impacts of nutrients on water quality.
As part of the: Water Adaptation Management and Quality Initiative (WAMQI). Funding for the WAMQI project has been provided through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The program is administered by Farm & Food Care Ontario.
Read the Media Release about the Applied Research Grant awarded to Algonquin College for a major research project that will be undertaken by students in the Environmental Technician Program. Two of the key participants collecting data are students Tanner Roderick and Allison Rosien.
Sarah Hall, Co-ordinator of the Environmental Technician program in Pembroke, and Julie Sylvestre, Applied Research Project Co-ordinator, gave a presentation in Cobden about the Muskrat River Watershed project. See the Applied Research Presentation here.
Our Partners:
- Muskrat Watershed Council
- Ministry of Environment
- Renfrew County Cattlemen’s Association
- Renfrew County Federation of Agriculture
- The Ottawa River Institute
Other important contributors:
- Shaw Woods Outdoor Education centre
- Renfrew County Ministry of Natural Resources
- Muskrat Lake Association
- AECL Ltd.
- Lake Dore Cottagers’ Association
- Bishop Water Technology