Water

Sockeye salmon struggle to get upstream in historically low water levels in Weaver Creek near the Harrison River north of Chilliwack on Oct. 20, 2022. (Submitted by a Watershed Watch Salmon Society volunteer)

OPINION w/VIDEO: Salmon die and people lose their water as B.C. sleepwalks into yet another crisis

‘It’s time those responsible for protecting B.C.s environment spent a little more time out here with us’

  • Oct 25, 2022

 

A view of Gibsons Landing from the top of Soames Hill, a short but steep hike on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, is seen near the town of Grantham’s Landing, B.C., on May 23, 2016. Some businesses and amenities on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast must stop using all treated drinking water within hours as severe drought in the region forces declaration of a state of local emergency, but officials say there’s no need to panic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lauren Krugel

First COVID, now drought, B.C. brewery takes water-use restrictions in stride

Water system that supplies Sechelt area is at ‘imminent risk’ of running dry

 

A man walks in the water off Locarno Beach during a stretch of unseasonably warm weather, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. Water use in Metro Vancouver is much higher, while reservoir levels are lower than normal, prompting the regional district to ask millions of residents and businesses to conserve.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Drought prompts request for Metro Vancouver residents to take shorter showers

Region’s water use up by 20 per cent for time of year because of the extended dry weather

 

Drowning is “not the violent splashing and shouting for help that one sees on TV. There’s no screaming or flailing of arms,” writes reporter Jenna Hauck. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

COLUMN: Drowning is silent; familiarize yourself with the signs of it

Chilliwack reporter shares what signs of drowning look like after incident with son in pool

Drowning is “not the violent splashing and shouting for help that one sees on TV. There’s no screaming or flailing of arms,” writes reporter Jenna Hauck. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
The Naysmiths’ makeshift cooling station lets off some refreshing mist at 885 Runnymede Pl. on Thursday (July 28). (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Cooling station mist-ifies boiling passersby

Concert misting system inspired resident to beat the heat

The Naysmiths’ makeshift cooling station lets off some refreshing mist at 885 Runnymede Pl. on Thursday (July 28). (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Residents in the Wilderness Mountain Water Service Area in East Sooke should boil water before ingesting it. (Black Press Media file photo)

High turbidity leaves East Sooke residents under boil water advisory

Water safe to ingest after boiling for 1 minute

Residents in the Wilderness Mountain Water Service Area in East Sooke should boil water before ingesting it. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich police and fire boats were kept busy at Elk Lake on June 25 with two rescues involving four children. (File photo courtesy Saanich Police Department)

4 children rescued during busy day at Saanich’s Elk Lake

Incidents prompt water safety warning from Saanich police

Saanich police and fire boats were kept busy at Elk Lake on June 25 with two rescues involving four children. (File photo courtesy Saanich Police Department)
A man’s body was recovered from Long Lake after he was reported missing over the weekend. (Black Press Media file photo)

Man’s body recovered from Nanaimo lake after apparent drowning

Victim went for a swim Sunday, searchers found body Monday

A man’s body was recovered from Long Lake after he was reported missing over the weekend. (Black Press Media file photo)
Grade 12 students Shona Sinclair (left), Katie Bentley, Sophia Taylor and Olivia Friesen, first saw the original model in Grade 9. Now they enjoy the benefits of the new model in their Oak Bay High classroom. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Hands-on watershed models offer learning moments for Oak Bay students to share

CRD commissions new model for hands-on learning

Grade 12 students Shona Sinclair (left), Katie Bentley, Sophia Taylor and Olivia Friesen, first saw the original model in Grade 9. Now they enjoy the benefits of the new model in their Oak Bay High classroom. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
A pair of under-construction water reservoirs caught the eyes of curious residents in Langford recently, with speculations as to their true purpose ranging from an indoor soccer field to an alien landing site. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Alien landing site or water reservoir? Langford domes spark social media curiosity

Twin structures will in future link into Westhills subdivision’s water system

A pair of under-construction water reservoirs caught the eyes of curious residents in Langford recently, with speculations as to their true purpose ranging from an indoor soccer field to an alien landing site. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Gerald Harris, director of Friends of Bowker Creek Society, does the honours and plants the year’s first batch of chum salmon eggs in a designated area in the creek on Jan. 22. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Significance of Bowker Creek Watershed featured in classical concert in Victoria

Emily Carr quartet’s Earth Songs series continues March 11 at Christ Church Cathedral

Gerald Harris, director of Friends of Bowker Creek Society, does the honours and plants the year’s first batch of chum salmon eggs in a designated area in the creek on Jan. 22. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Work is underway to bring water access back to the Ucluelet First Nation community of Hitacu after a barge broke a primary water line. (District of Ucluelet photo)

More bad news for Ucluelet First Nation as it enters second week without water

Barge-damaged water line from Ucluelet to Hitacu deemed beyond repair

Work is underway to bring water access back to the Ucluelet First Nation community of Hitacu after a barge broke a primary water line. (District of Ucluelet photo)
Coldwater swimming is becoming a popular practice as many find that it benefits their state of mind. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

VIDEO: Polar bear dippers tout benefits of cold water swimming this winter solstice at Mile 0

A winter solstice swim and dance party brought together over 80 people safely outdoors

Coldwater swimming is becoming a popular practice as many find that it benefits their state of mind. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Sooke Lake Reservoir is on the brink of exceeding its capacity. (Photo courtesy CRD)

‘Unprecedented’ weather causing Sooke Lake reservoir to fill up

CRD’s primary water source nears 100 per cent of capacity, spillage would affect Sooke River flows

Sooke Lake Reservoir is on the brink of exceeding its capacity. (Photo courtesy CRD)
Roberta Hicks de Plumpton has a front row seat to the high water on the Chemainus River. Husband Clive’s Great Wall protects the property from the flood waters. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Great Wall of Westholme the ultimate barrier between the Hicks household and Chemainus River

Husband’s legacy ensures rising flood waters are kept at bay

Roberta Hicks de Plumpton has a front row seat to the high water on the Chemainus River. Husband Clive’s Great Wall protects the property from the flood waters. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Members of the Iqaluit Fire Department assist with flushing the city’s water pipes in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. Engineers say the source of fuel in Iqaluit’s water likely comes from an underground fuel tank built in 1962. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dustin Patar

Fuel in Iqaluit’s water likely from 59-year-old underground tank: engineers

Water testing has come back clean since Oct. 24

Members of the Iqaluit Fire Department assist with flushing the city’s water pipes in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. Engineers say the source of fuel in Iqaluit’s water likely comes from an underground fuel tank built in 1962. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dustin Patar
Residents line up to fill containers with potable water in Iqaluit, Nunavut on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. The City of Iqaluit says an old underground spill is likely responsible for fuel that is contaminating the city’s tap water. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Emma Tranter

Underground fuel spill found next to Iqaluit’s water treatment plant

No timeline for when the city’s residents will be able to drink Iqaluit’s tap water again

Residents line up to fill containers with potable water in Iqaluit, Nunavut on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. The City of Iqaluit says an old underground spill is likely responsible for fuel that is contaminating the city’s tap water. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Emma Tranter
Much of southern B.C. remains under drought conditions (B.C. Drought Map/B.C. Drought Information Portal)

B.C. urged to conserve water as drought conditions persist through summer’s end

Recent rains have alleviated drought conditions in some parts of B.C., but severe drought remains

Much of southern B.C. remains under drought conditions (B.C. Drought Map/B.C. Drought Information Portal)
Surveying the Chemainus River watershed provides some interesting insights for Erik Piikkila. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Vancouver Island forester says more than climate change behind our trickling rivers

Expert says the status quo not going to cut it anymore in our forests and watersheds

Surveying the Chemainus River watershed provides some interesting insights for Erik Piikkila. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Water use on the Koksilah River has been curtailed again this year due to critically low water flows. (File photo)

Cowichan’s Koksilah River flows hit critical level, B.C. orders some to turn off taps

Water use curtailed for industrial purposes, as well as for irrigation of forage crops

Water use on the Koksilah River has been curtailed again this year due to critically low water flows. (File photo)
Pop-up banner image