Water retention to reduce algal blooms in Canadian lakes

The De Salaberry water retention project study (2019-2023) demonstrates that small naturalized dams can reduce phosphorus loads while mitigating floods and erosion, though performance varies based on retention time and incoming loads. The report argues that standard design practices often fail to maximize phosphorus reduction and recommends strategic targeting of phosphorus hot spots and increased retention times to better combat eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in Canadian freshwater systems.

• The De Salaberry water retention site successfully reduces phosphorus loads across various conditions without compromising its primary functions of erosion and flood mitigation, although its effectiveness is heavily dependent on water retention time and the volume of incoming phosphorus.
• Current standard design practices for water retention projects are unlikely to maximize phosphorus reduction benefits; instead, projects should be designed to increase water retention time and specifically target runoff from phosphorus hot spots.
• Water retention infrastructure, including restored wetlands and naturalized dams, serves as a critical tool for climate change adaptation in the Canadian Prairies by simultaneously addressing drought and flood risks and improving water quality.

APA

Grosshans,, J. S. (2026). Water retention to reduce algal blooms in Canadian lakes. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/water-retention-reduce-algal-blooms-canadian-lakes

Chicago

Grosshans,, Joey Simoes,Richard. Water retention to reduce algal blooms in Canadian lakes. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/water-retention-reduce-algal-blooms-canadian-lakes.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Grosshans, |first1=Joey Simoes,Richard |title=Water retention to reduce algal blooms in Canadian lakes |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=16 June 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/water-retention-reduce-algal-blooms-canadian-lakes |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{grosshans2026water, author = {Grosshans,, Joey Simoes,Richard}, title = {{Water retention to reduce algal blooms in Canadian lakes}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/water-retention-reduce-algal-blooms-canadian-lakes}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }