UWinnipeg geography professor Dr. Bill Buhay, photo credit Dan Harper
Nutrient loading into lakes and rivers continues to negatively affect Manitoba’s watershed and is a critical environmental issue. UWinnipeg geography professor Dr. Bill Buhay was granted a $10,000 RBC Blue Water Project Community Action Grant to help improve overall water quality of the Dead Horse Creek (a Red River tributary) and its principal discharge water systems (Red River/Lake Winnipeg watershed).
“This grant will help us identify the effects of eutrophication of Dead Horse Creek,” explained Buhay. “This process leads to a high concentration of nutrients, such as phosphates and nitrates, that are deposited into the creek. Eutrophication enables the excessive growth of algae which depletes the water of available oxygen. The lack of oxygen in the water causes the death of other important organisms, such as fish, adversely affecting the ecosystem and the environment.”
The grant funds the hiring of third-year geography student Rebbecca Wilks. She will help Buhay conduct the research, which is of significant interest to the citizens of Morden and Winkler, Manitoba.
“I’m very thankful to have this research opportunity in the battle against eutrophication,” expressed Wilks. “Being able to find possible solutions for this serious problem and improving our watershed and our environment is very rewarding. It will also help me realize my career goals.”
RBC Blue Water Project
Launched in 2007, the RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year global charitable commitment of $50 million to help ensure a swimmable, drinkable, fishable future for generations to come. RBC’s current area of focus is helping protect water in our growing towns and cities through grants, sponsorships and employee volunteerism. For more information on the RBC Blue Water Project visit http://www.rbc.com/.
