AIS Risk Assessment for Rainy – Lake of the Woods Watershed: Phase I, Coarse Filter

Year
2019
Topic

Aquatic Ecosystem Health

Project Description

The Rainy-Lake of the Woods Basin is a popular tourist destination close to several large water systems meaning there is ample passageway for aquatic invasive species (AIS) to enter. When this project was proposed, there was a lack of consistent AIS prevention efforts across jurisdictions, which left the basin vulnerable. 

This project involved the creation of a Risk Assessment Tool in collaboration with USGS. The tool included a database of AIS and their potential level of risk to the basin which has helped build a shared understanding of AIS in the basin and has increased the Boards technical capacity. This has supported the development of consistent, multi-jurisdictional and binational efforts on AIS for the entire watershed, with federal, state, and provincial involvement to provide a platform for resource agencies to focus efforts on priority risks and prioritize efforts for AIS education, enforcement and projects needed to protect the watershed from AIS.

Outcome

Complete

Partners

AIS Subcommittee, USGS