Black Sturgeon Lake Water Quality Reports

As development thrives along the shores of the Black Sturgeon Lakes, concern about the environmental impact also grows. As stewards of the lakes and lands, the City of Kenora is committed to monitoring the water quality of the Black Sturgeon Lakes.

Current report

The City of Kenora partnered with Grand Council Treaty #3’s Territorial Planning Unit to complete its annual water quality monitoring program on Black Sturgeon Lakes. Grand Council Treaty #3 supplied field technicians, equipment, and boat access. This partnership builds on the successful collaboration initiated during the 2024 program. 

Sampling was completed at two key locations on Lowe Black Sturgeon Lake during spring turnover:

1. Site 3 inlet - downstream of East Mellick Road Bridge
   • Result - total phosphorus was 0.0139 mg/L
2. Site 2 outlet - upstream of Reddit Road Bridge
   • Result - total phosphorus was 0.01390 mg/L

Both values are well below the Provincial Water Quality Objective (PWQO) of 0.0020 mg/L consistent with results from previous years. The results continue to indicate that resident development on Lower Black Sturgeon Lake is not contributing to nutrient increases. View the 2025 Black Sturgeon Water Quality Monitoring Final Report for more details.

Reports

View the list of water quality reports:

2024 Black Sturgeon Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Report 

2022 Black Sturgeon Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Report

2021 Black Sturgeon Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Report

2020 Black Sturgeon Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Report

2019 Black Sturgeon Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Report

2018 Black Sturgeon Water Quality Monitoring Report

2017 Black Sturgeon Water Quality Monitoring Report

2016 Black Sturgeon Water Quality Monitoring Report

2015 Black Sturgeon Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Report and Presentation

2010 Black Sturgeon Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Report

2009 Black Sturgeon Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Report

2007 Black Sturgeon Lake Capacity and Management Report

Background

A lake management plan for Black Sturgeon Lake was a priority project in 2007.  The study showed a series of recommendations based on best management practices for managing the basin and surrounding lands.

In 2009 and 2010, the water quality in Lower and Upper Black Sturgeon Lakes were studied. The results of these tests provided data to compare future samples.  In 2015, it was determined annual reporting would better serve monitoring efforts.

Additionally, the City of Kenora Official Plan (2015) included land use policy recommendations for the Black Sturgeon Lakes based on the best management practices identified in the 2007 study. Development restrictions are some of the critical components of the Official Plan, such as:

• larger frontages for new lots;
• limited number of new lots; and
• consistent water quality monitoring.