Lake of the Woods overview
The application submission period for funding under the Lake of the Woods Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is now open. The deadline for applications is 3:00 p.m. EST on November 26, 2026. Please contact us by email at lakeofthewoods-lacdesbois@cwa-aec.gc.ca for more information.
On this page:
Overview
Lake of the Woods is a large lake shared between Canada and the United States that spans the borders of Minnesota, Ontario and Manitoba within the Lake Winnipeg drainage basin. The lake is an important natural and economic resource and supports a significant sport fishery and tourism sector in northwestern Ontario. The Lake of the Woods region is also culturally significant to the many Indigenous Peoples living in the basin who depend on its resources.
Map highlighting the Canadian portion of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods drainage basin
An inset map shows the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed’s location along the Canada-United States border, spanning parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota. In Canada, the labelled sub-watersheds are Shoal Lake, Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, Lower Rainy, Rainy Lake, Big Turtle River and Rainy Headwaters. The communities of Kenora, Sioux Narrow, Rainy River, Emo, Fort Frances and Atikokan are also marked.
Key issues
Since the 1980s, Lake of the Woods has experienced a sharp increase in harmful algae blooms (HABs), which can cover much of the lake’s surface. HABs threaten drinking water quality, negatively impact recreational activities and degrade fish and wildlife habitat. These blooms are primarily caused by excess phosphorus from a number of sources, including the Rainy River.
Goals and priorities
Through the Freshwater Action Plan, we are working with partners to take action to prevent toxic and nuisance algae and protect aquatic ecosystem health in the Lake of the Woods by supporting nutrient management planning and the decrease of nutrient loadings, including phosphorus, to the lake from Canadian sources.
Funding opportunities
The Lake of the Woods Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative (FEI) is focused on the most pressing challenge affecting water quality and aquatic ecosystem health in this basin: preventing toxic and nuisance algae.
To assist in achieving this goal, the Canada Water Agency (CWA) has made funding available to:
- implement best management practices and other nutrient reduction measures;
- develop new or improved practices or technologies aimed at reducing nutrient loads;
- enhance or develop new collaborative plans to support targeted nutrient load reduction efforts; and
- conduct targeted science to fill knowledge and data gaps.