Williams Lake: A Haven for Scientific Research
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Every year awareness grows of the importance of the Williams Lake Backlands – the precious watershed that supplies Williams Lake with all its water. People come to walk, swim, skate, ski, paddle and even ice boat and paraglide, depending on the season.
But it isn’t only recreational users who care about the lake and its environs.. Professors and students from local universities make use of Williams Lake as a testing ground for their field research. And every year, scientists, academics, and researchers are drawn to study the vast array of topics that concern the lake – from hydrology (the study of water) and geology to biology (animal and plant life) and geography. We thought friends of Williams Lake might like to learn about some of these research studies.
Here is a short list of some of the excellent papers* published recently, which have expanded our knowledge of the lake and watershed. This is ground-breaking research that asks the hard questions, and advances our understanding across the many crucial fields that affect the health of Williams Lake.
*Illustrations used with permission of the authors
A Geological Survey of Williams Lake Backlands Finds Boulders Are Erratic
Geology Today (2019): 223-27.
J. Beecham, L. Huong, F. Langston-Brown, K. Ramashandran, et al.
Careful Tabulation shows a Bird in the Jackpine is Worth Two in the Crow Broomberry Bush
Journal of Comparative Ornithology (2025): 413-499.
T. Meecham, P. Muong, K. Bangston-Brown, A. Samarandran, et al.
A Forest-mounted Camera Encourages Animals to Sniff It
Explorations In Animal Behaviour (2022): 524-29.
M. Peecham, D. Luong, B. Cranston-Brown, R. Kurmashundram
Analysis and Qualitative Effects of Headlights on Deer
Modern Journal of Ruminants (2017): 198-203.
V. Bleacham, K. Quong, W. Transom-Brown, V. R. Pamashandram, et al.
Study Shows Signage Fails to Increase Use of Trail System
Objectives In Behaviour Modification (2024): 14-21.
C. Neecham, I. Puong, E. Hansom-Brown, T. Karmarandram, et al.
Using Beaver Dung to Estimate Population Density Is a Messy Business
Clinical Hygiene Quarterly (2023): 599-623.
H. Preacham, V.R. Buong, D. Misham-Brown, T.V. Garmashundram, et al.
Fishing Spiders: Arachnophobia Has Eight Legs To Stand On
Journal of Experimental Psychology (2020): 319-322.
S. Fleecham, R. Chuong, V. Stinson-Brown, B. Purmakrundham
Mathematical Models To Determine the Direction of Water Off a Duck’s Back
Case Reports In Ornithology (2022): 219-242.
A. Creecham, N. Fuong, C. Plimson-Brown, E. Dhurbakrundam, et al.
Do Geese Shit in the Lake? – A Waste Recycling Study.
Current Research In Aquatic Science (2017): 276-279.
K. Leecham, L. Tuong, P. Crimson-Brown, V.H. Barmachundram, et al.
Eye Movement Studies Indicate Squirrels Have No Idea Where They are Going.
Forefronts In Sciuridae Register (2019): 1019-1036.
N. Steacham, C. Kuong, R. Fanston-Brown, L.P. Rumbachandram
Did We Know This Water Was Getting Into Williams Lake?
Journal of Unintended Results (2021): 189-95.
S. Preatham, K. Bruong, T. Blimson-Crown, W.R. Bashabundram, et al.
A Hydrological Study Shows Hills Cause Water to Flow Downward.
The Conceptual Quantum Gravity Monitor (2023): 2049-2134.
B. Sneecham, J. K. Fluong, P. Grisham-Brown, F.R. Pandramundrum, et al.
What Are Fish Even Doing Down There?
Modern Aquaculture (2024): 35-42.
T. Wheatham, P. Puong, V. Trimson-Brown, J.B. Tajabundram, et al.
If the Hoot Owl Hoots, What of the Horny Toad?
Applied Comparative Biology Today (2024): 256-279.
G. Greasham, I. Wuong, P. Flimson-Brown, N.D. Vashahumdrum, et al.
Yes – you guessed it! Welcome to our annual April Fools post. As usual, it contains snippets of truth – local professors, students and researchers do use Williams Lake and the Backlands as a place to study what makes watersheds healthy and functional. Their important work helps us at the WLCC to advocate for protecting the watershed with decision-makers at all levels of government. We just thought we’d have some fun with the idea.
See you next year!
For more information on how you can help support Williams Lake visit our Membership Page.
For more foolishness, visit the world famous WLCC April Fools Archive!