New lab will study North Idaho lakes

A Canada goose flies over Lake Coeur d’Alene on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. The University of Idaho is opening a $100,000 research laboratory in Coeur dAlene that will study the ecology of local lakes and their importance to the regional economy. (Kathy Plonka/SR photo)

The University of Idaho is opening a $100,000 research laboratory in Coeur d’Alene that will study the ecology of local lakes and their importance to the region’s lifestyle and economy.

“Lakes are the center of much of North Idaho’s life,” said Mark Solomon, director of the new laboratory. “The more we understand about what makes them work for us and what we do that harms them, the better off we are.”

Over the past several years, UI researchers have tracked an increase in toxic algae blooms in Fernan Lake. The study also delved into how fishing, swimming and other lake recreation was affected during the blooms, when health advisories encouraged people to avoid contact with the water.

UI also looked at how milfoil affected the values of waterfront properties around Lake Coeur d’Alene. Where milfoil was present in the lake, properties sold for 13 percent less than comparable properties without the aquatic weed, which forms thick mats of floating vegetation.

The new lake lab will help UI continue those kinds of scientific and economic studies, Solomon said/ Becky Kramer , SR. More here .