Welcome to the world's freshwater laboratory
IISD Experimental Lakes Area is one of the most influential freshwater research facilities on Earth.
Take a virtual tourThese 58 lakes are like no others on the planet
IISD Experimental Lakes Area is the world’s freshwater laboratory.
This is the only place in the world where scientists can manipulate real lakes, over the long term, to understand what human activity does to fresh water.
Dive into Some Freshwater Basics
What is a lake?
There are no silly questions in science. So, if you have always wondered what a lake actually is, allow us to explain...
What is fresh water?
Fresh water takes many forms. Learn more about what fresh water is and why it is important.
What is a limnologist?
A limnologist is essentially a scientist who studies all aspects of a body of water. But it can be much more complex!
Discover the Lakes and the Faces That Make Us Who We Are
Featured Issues
We tackle new and emerging threats to fresh water head on. Here are just a few...
Our Impact
We conduct experiments on real lakes and ecosystems—one of the only places in the world you can do this—and then use those results to create new policies and practices to protect fresh water. Now. And for generations to come.
Here’s what people are saying about us and how we tackle threats to fresh water.
Getting to spend a summer at IISD Experimental Lakes Area is the dream—I love the work and the people!
Monica Giesbrecht, our first ever Dr. David Schindler IISD-ELA Undergraduate Student Fellow in 2022.
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