Canada's waters are under increasing pressure to support greater economic activity. As the energy sector, agriculture, mining or urbanization of our landscape increases; aquatic researchers and their findings will be at a premium as we try to balance the want for economic growth against the health of our delicate aquatic ecosystem.

University of Lethbridge professor and researcher, Dr. Joe Rasmussen, is an expert in this field and his peers have recognized him for his valuable contributions to the study of aquatic ecosystems.

A Canadian professional organization of limnologists (aquatic ecosystem researchers who study lakes and rivers) has awarded Rasmussen (biological sciences) its highest honour.

Rasmussen, a Canada Research Chair in Aquatic Ecosystems, received the Frank H. Rigler memorial award at the joint annual meetings of the Society of Canadian Limnologists and the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research, which took place in Winnipeg, Man. in early January.

The award recognizes and honours major achievements in the field of limnology by Canadians or those working in Canada. Emphasis in selection is given to established aquatic scientists whose work is recognized for its influence and importance.

Whether we like it or not, Rasmussen says Canada's waters face an uncertain future.

"There is also the issue of regulated rivers, which include both reservoirs and their downstream tailwaters. They are and will be an increasing part of the limnological landscape, although they presently merit little more than a mention in any of the mainstream textbooks," Rasmussen says.

"The Rigler award means a great deal to me both personally and professionally. Personally it is gratifying because so many colleagues and former students from all over Canada belong to the society. I have already been contacted by a number of people who would like to come to Lethbridge and work in my laboratory. The prestige associated with this award, and others like it, can also make it somewhat easier to obtain grants and other types of funding for research, and this helps keep the wheels turning."