MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota is hosting an international forum Thursday on the water quality challenges facing the Red River Basin in the U.S. and Canada.

The Red River flows along the Minnesota-North Dakota border into Manitoba and empties into Lake Winnipeg. It’s one of the world’s largest lakes, and forum organizers say it serves as a “canary in the coal mine” for the overall health of water within an enormous watershed. Challenges facing Lake Winnipeg include algae blooms, depleted oxygen levels, invasive species and the effects of climate change. Minnesota waters in the Red River Basin face similar issues.

Several Minnesota and Canadian government officials are scheduled to speak at the forum in Minneapolis, including the premier of Manitoba, Greg Selinger.

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