Water

Paige Thurston, Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework program manager, right, completes a survey following a hydrometric install on Apex Creek in the Columbia Basin near Nelson, B.C. in this undated handout photo. A trio of experts in British Columbia says persistent drought is exposing cracks in how the province manages water, especially when it's scarce. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Living Lakes Canada *MANDATORY CREDIT*

As more drought looms, B.C. doesn’t know where all its groundwater is going

Drier conditions common but province only beginning to come to terms on need to track situation

 

Water flies from a sprinkler on a lawn in Sacramento, Calif., on July 8, 2021. In B.C., Metro Vancouver residents will be limited to watering their lawns once a week, beginning on May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Lawn watering restrictions to begin May 1 for Metro Vancouver residents

Municipal body says limiting water use now could save region from outright ban come summer

 

Baldy Mountain Resort near Oliver has seen close to 50 cm of snow over the last week. (Photo- Baldy Mountain Resort/Facebook)

B.C. snowpack at lowest March 1 levels in 2 decades, 2nd lowest ever

Head of River Forecast Centre says there could be a decrease in flood risk in some areas of B.C.

 

A poster promoting water conservation is posted in an elevator at the Changi Water Reclamation Plant in Singapore, Thursday, July 20, 2023. Water technology developed and used in Singapore, such as portable water filters, water testing technology and flood management tools, have been exported to over 30 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Nepal. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

In water-stressed Singapore, a search for new ways to keep the taps flowing

The country has relied on imported water from Malaysia, but that deal is set to expire in 2061

A poster promoting water conservation is posted in an elevator at the Changi Water Reclamation Plant in Singapore, Thursday, July 20, 2023. Water technology developed and used in Singapore, such as portable water filters, water testing technology and flood management tools, have been exported to over 30 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Nepal. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
The Prairie View trail near Barrier Lake in Kananaskis Country, Alta., is shown on Sunday, Nov.2, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lauren Krugel

No recharge: long-term Prairie drought raises worry over groundwater levels

About 600,000 Albertans depend on groundwater

The Prairie View trail near Barrier Lake in Kananaskis Country, Alta., is shown on Sunday, Nov.2, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lauren Krugel
A sign calling for the boycott of carrots stands outside the Cuyama Buckhorn restaurant and hotel, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in New Cuyama, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Fight over precious groundwater in rural California town is rooted in carrots

Property owners taking their right to water to court

A sign calling for the boycott of carrots stands outside the Cuyama Buckhorn restaurant and hotel, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in New Cuyama, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Calvin Barr from the Okanagan’s Luxury Lake Tours has launched a new water taxi service from Peachland to Summerland, as Highway 97 remains closed due to a rockslide. (Submitted/Luxury Lake Tours)

Okanagan Lake water taxi arrives as rockslide keeps Highway 97 closed

Luxury Lake Tours can take people from Peachland to Summerland

Calvin Barr from the Okanagan’s Luxury Lake Tours has launched a new water taxi service from Peachland to Summerland, as Highway 97 remains closed due to a rockslide. (Submitted/Luxury Lake Tours)
Creeks and rivers are running dry, prompting a Level 5 Drought rating for the Okanagan. (Okanagan WaterWise photo)

Stranded fish due to low creeks turns up some B.C. water restrictions

Necessity to conserve water and help with low flows in North Okanagan result in move

Creeks and rivers are running dry, prompting a Level 5 Drought rating for the Okanagan. (Okanagan WaterWise photo)
The Township of Spallumcheen is looking to monitor its water usage. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Okanagan has one of the highest water use rates per person in Canada

Spallumcheen asking residents to do what they can to be water warriors and conserve

The Township of Spallumcheen is looking to monitor its water usage. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A sign that translates to “risk of drowning,” is shown next to the St. Lawrence River in Montreal on Monday, June 26, 2023. It has been a particularly deadly year on the water in Quebec, which so far accounts for more than a third of all drownings reported in the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Deadly year on Quebec waters sparks calls for swimming lessons

Five-year average at this time of year is 45 drownings, and 2023 is first year to surpass that number since 2020

A sign that translates to “risk of drowning,” is shown next to the St. Lawrence River in Montreal on Monday, June 26, 2023. It has been a particularly deadly year on the water in Quebec, which so far accounts for more than a third of all drownings reported in the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
This combination of images provided by NOAA and University of Miami shows experimentally outplanted corals on January 2023, left, and the same coral on July 2023 after suffering from bleaching near Miami. Scientists have seen devastating effects from prolonged hot water surrounding Florida — coral bleaching and some death. (Allyson DeMerlis, Michael Studivan/NOAA and the University of Miami via AP)

Water at tip of Florida hits hot tub level and may have set world record for warmest seawater

The water temperature on the tip of Florida hit hot tub levels,…

This combination of images provided by NOAA and University of Miami shows experimentally outplanted corals on January 2023, left, and the same coral on July 2023 after suffering from bleaching near Miami. Scientists have seen devastating effects from prolonged hot water surrounding Florida — coral bleaching and some death. (Allyson DeMerlis, Michael Studivan/NOAA and the University of Miami via AP)
Drought conditions in B.C. are disproportionately worse compared to seasonal averages, and officials and experts are urging British Columbians to be sparing with their water usage. (Adobe stock)

Faucet frugality: Experts say B.C. residents need to conserve water now

The province is facing severe drought conditions much earlier than usual

Drought conditions in B.C. are disproportionately worse compared to seasonal averages, and officials and experts are urging British Columbians to be sparing with their water usage. (Adobe stock)
Jaime Garcia climbs out of his tub at the beach at Maffeo Sutton Park at the end of the Great International World Championship Bathtub Race. In which Canadian city did bathtub racing originate? (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

QUIZ: How much do you know about water-related activities?

On hot summer days, many people enjoy time at the lake or on the beach

Jaime Garcia climbs out of his tub at the beach at Maffeo Sutton Park at the end of the Great International World Championship Bathtub Race. In which Canadian city did bathtub racing originate? (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
Mission Creek at Casoro shows a drying stream bed. At present, the province has declared a Drought Level 3 for the Okanagan as a result of dry conditions and forecasts for above normal temperatures. (Contributed)

Okanagan moved to Drought Level 3 rating

Precipitiation has been lower than average in many parts of British Columbia this year

Mission Creek at Casoro shows a drying stream bed. At present, the province has declared a Drought Level 3 for the Okanagan as a result of dry conditions and forecasts for above normal temperatures. (Contributed)
Most drownings happen in natural bodies of water: lakes, rivers and oceans. But for children, the biggest drowning hazards are actually in and around their own home—think paddling pools, backyard pools and even buckets of water (Contributed UBC News).

Water safety tips for the summer, from a B.C. injury prevention expert

Dr. Ian Pike is the professor of pediatrics

Most drownings happen in natural bodies of water: lakes, rivers and oceans. But for children, the biggest drowning hazards are actually in and around their own home—think paddling pools, backyard pools and even buckets of water (Contributed UBC News).
The provincial government is urging British Columbians to conserve water as forecasts call for drought conditions across much of the province. The northeastern corner of the province is already under the second-worst drought rating.

Recent rain brought little relief as B.C. faces increasing drought conditions

Province urging residents to conserve water as northeastern corner of B.C. is extremely dry

The provincial government is urging British Columbians to conserve water as forecasts call for drought conditions across much of the province. The northeastern corner of the province is already under the second-worst drought rating.
Rachel Stanford is recovering from a broken neck after using the rope swing at Gyro Beach in Kelowna. (Contributed/Ben Stanford)

Zipline to stay at Gyro Beach after Kelowna mom breaks her neck

Rachel Stanford was caught on video flipping off the swing and screaming upon resurfacing

  • May 31, 2023
Rachel Stanford is recovering from a broken neck after using the rope swing at Gyro Beach in Kelowna. (Contributed/Ben Stanford)
Peachland Watershed after mass logging. (Interior Watershed Task Force/Contributed to Black Press Media)

B.C. grassroots group calls for change to forest management in watersheds

The IWTF is forming to help change the way the logging industry works

Peachland Watershed after mass logging. (Interior Watershed Task Force/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Trudeau promises to update act around use and development of water in Canada

He didn’t provide details about how the Canada Water Act would change

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Following an incident at Thetis Lake which sent two to hospital, B.C. Emergency Health Services is reminding residents of some key water safety tips ahead of the long weekend. (Courtesy CRD)

B.C residents warned to stay safe as long weekend kicks off summer fun on the water

Ambulance service urges caution as warm weather will likely see people flock to lakes and beaches

Following an incident at Thetis Lake which sent two to hospital, B.C. Emergency Health Services is reminding residents of some key water safety tips ahead of the long weekend. (Courtesy CRD)