Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Several communities on Vancouver Island have started water restrictions as warmer temperatures and sunny weather arrive. Low-level water restrictions, such as when and how much people can water their lawns, are in effect in Nanaimo, Tofino, Parksville, Campbell River and the Comox and Cowichan valleys. "This is about kind of looking forward towards a warm, dry summer season," said Erica Forssman, Nanaimo drinking water and protection program coordinator.
Heavy rain over Saturday and Sunday brought a helpful boost to the Comox Valley’s water system as levels remain below normal. According to BC Hydro stakeholder engagement advisor Stephen Watson, the February to September water supply forecast has come down since their initial forecast of 96 per cent normal. This is because of the very dry February and March that saw about half normal rainfall, according to Environment Canada. However, last weekend’s rain did provide a nice boost to help bring levels back up a bit.
Aecon-EBC General Partnership (AEGP), a consortium led by Aecon (60%) and including EBC (40%), has been awarded the first phase of a $245 million two-phase civil construction contract for the John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade project on the Campbell River in British Columbia, Canada. The scope of work involves upgrading earth stabilizing infrastructure to improve the seismic resiliency of the existing John Hart Dam.
Parts of British Columbia known for towering rainforests and endless days of winter precipitation are experiencing some of the driest conditions on record. Both the Sunshine Coast and east side of Vancouver Island face persistent water shortages as below-average precipitation fails to replenish reservoirs drained by the fall drought. “This is the driest fall season on record for all Vancouver Island hydroelectric watersheds,” said B.C. Hydro spokesman Stephen Watson.
For only the second time on record, huge pumps have been set up in Upper Quinsam Lake west of Campbell River to ensure there is enough water in the region’s waterways to allow salmon to spawn and to protect new spawning beds at risk because of the ongoing drought. Pumps started working Friday to send water through several hundred metres of pipes into neighbouring Wokas Lake to maintain the current river flow rate. The lakes are connected by a channel.
A plan to create a vast network of marine protected areas stretching from Vancouver Island to the Alaskan border inched closer to reality this Monday after the governments of Canada, British Columbia and over a dozen First Nations released a draft plan to the public. If enacted, the marine protected areas (MPAs) would protect nearly a third of the Northern Shelf Bioregion — a 100,000-square-kilometre tract of ocean also known as the Great Bear Sea.
BBGI Global Infrastructure S.A. has completed an investment in InPower BC General Partnership, the entity responsible for delivering the John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project in Canada. The company said it made the CA$41 million investment through its existing strategic partnership with SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. The public-private partnership project consisted of the design, construction, financing, maintenance and rehabilitation of a new three-turbine, 132MW hydroelectric power generation station on the Campbell River, British Columbia, including a three generating unit underground powerhouse, 2.1 km of water passage tunnels and a water bypass system to protect downstream fish habitat. The new infrastructure replaces the outdated above ground facilities which were built in 1947 with a more reliable, seismically robust and environmentally friendly facility. The project is Canada's first public-private partnership project in the hydropower sector.
At the beginning of this semester, Gordon’s students have turned their attention to water issues within Canada. Half of the class’s fundraising efforts will go towards Canadian charity Water First, which works exclusively with Indigenous communities in the country. The other half will go towards field trips for the students. “Their goal is to help address water issues and prevent water advisories such as boil water advisories,” Gordon said. “They fund and operate an internship program to work with young Indigenous people to train them to become certified water treatment plant operators, and also help fund water restoration projects in Indigenous communities.” She added the NGO also works with schools in Indigenous communities to offer programs that help school-age children learn about water conservation and restoration.
Travel advisories are in effect for pooling water on several Vancouver Island Highways. Drive B.C. issued warnings Saturday morning that heavy rainfall had caused water buildup in several locations: Trans-Canada Highway north of Duncan, between Herd Road and Mount Sticker Road. Highway 4, between Wick Road and the Taylor River rest area. Highway 19, from Cook Creek Road south of Cumberland to Sayward Road north of Campbell River. There are also high winds in the area.
B.C. Hydro is preparing for lower water levels in some Vancouver Island reservoirs and watersheds in the coming months, after a particularly dry winter.
Both the Puntledge and Campbell rivers are running low and that impacts everything from salmon runs to boating tourists, as well as electric utility operations.
