Researchers finally delve into Ramsey Lake

After years of delays, the Ramsey Lake Subwatershed study is now in full swing in Sudbury.

The studywill focus on protecting natural resources and wildlife, while creatingstormwatertreatment systems and modern development options.

Earlier this year, the province announced a $2.3 million grant for the City of Greater Sudbury to study nine watersheds over the next two years. Ramsey Lake is one of the first to be looked at.

The studies will also include Junction Creek and White Water Lake subwatersheds.

PaulJavor, drainage engineer for the city, saidthe grant money from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change allowed the city to accelerate the study plans.

The city held an open house Thursday night, at the Northern Water Sports Centre to answer questions and explain the process.

Representativesfrom Aquafor Beach Limited, the group conducting the study, were on hand.

Grant money helped accelerate study plans

"It's important for the city to know what the public concerns are before the study is too far along," saidJavor.

"At this point, we can get to those issues and still tackle them [instead of] not getting them too late in the game, and not being able to address them because of our timelines."

Once the ice meltsin the spring, Javor saidthey'll be conducting an in-lake water quality monitoring platform.Thiswilldetermine if there is acorrelation between blue-green algae blooms and specific water quality parameters.

"We want to know what's the best step forward in each of thesubwatershedswe're studying.What are some objectives for development, water quality and quantity criteria?," saidJavor.

Lilly Noble, co-chair of the Ramsey LakeStewardship Committee, saidshe's pretty satisfied with whatwill be included in the study, except where development is concerned.

"I think we have to look at stopping some development if it's inappropriate for the watershed. If in the future, it will put our drinking water at risk."

Noble saidshe is pleased the study will point out the greatest sources of pollution.

"As an urban lake, it's not very big either. The more we develop around it, the more pollution comes from the roadways," she says.

What effecthasdevelopment had on lake?

"We've been concerned about development around our lakes and what effectit's had," saidJohn Lindsay, chair of the Minnow Lake Restoration group. He addedthey're anxious to see what the watershed study will indicate.

"I think that's what's going to be the big challenge of this report, is to determine how far we can go with respect to development. How much is it going to cost for any type of action to remedy?" Lindsay said.

Lindsay saideven those who don't live on the lake have a vested interest because Sudbury residents useRamsey Lake for recreational purposes and for drinking water.

"We need to preserve what we have and ensure it's going to be here for the future", says Noble.