COBDEN – With blue-green algae on the rise, the topic of water quality is especially relevant to residents of Cobden, Muskrat Lake and its watershed and the Ottawa Valley.
The Muskrat Watershed Council is holding its second annual general meeting on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Cobden Legion. Guest speaker Dr. Rebecca Dalton will provide an expert overview of her recent report on water quality in the Muskrat watershed.
Dr. Dalton, an Ottawa-based research scientist in biology, chemical and environmental toxicology, will give an overview of her findings, which was funded by the Cobden and District Civitan Club.
Her research focused on assessing the effects of agrochemicals (fertilizers and herbicides) on water quality and ecosystem health. It is also based on data collected throughout the watershed in 2014 in partnership with Algonquin College in Pembroke. Following her presentation, there will be a question and answer session.
The council will also provide updates from its fundraising, agricultural and science committees. The second part of the meeting will focus on electing officers for the new Muskrat Watershed Council executive.
The Muskrat Watershed Council is a volunteer, community-based, not-for-profit organization that was formed following the Muskrat Lake Water Quality Symposium in October 2013. After a series of meetings in the fall of 2013 and early winter of 2014, the first annual general meeting was held on Aug. 16, 2014, when the council elected its first executive.
The Muskrat Watershed Council’s goal is to improve water quality in the watershed by using science-based knowledge, and by engaging with people and communities in efforts to identify and reduce nutrient loading from all sources on the Muskrat Watershed. The vision is to provide healthy land, water and quality of life for future generations on the Muskrat Watershed.
To learn more, please visit the council’s website — www.muskratwatershedcouncil.ca — or on Facebook or Twitter @MuskratWater.
