Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

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.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

Hay River

Water sharing agreements ‘helpful’ in a drought

Water sharing agreements ‘helpful’ in a drought

As reservoir levels stabilize in southern Alberta, a consulting company says it’s crucial that all stakeholders work together. Irrigation districts in southern Alberta managed a tough growing season as drought maintains a stubborn hold and calls for maintaining co-operation between stakeholders and better water storage infrastructure continues. From the Milk River along the U.S. border to the Hay River running into the Northwest Territories, 50 water shortage advisories are currently in place across the province.

Waterfalls now 'trickling': Low water brings changes to Hay River, N.W.T. Social Sharing

Waterfalls now 'trickling': Low water brings changes to Hay River, N.W.T. Social Sharing

Water levels have been significantly dropping in Hay River, N.W.T., resulting in waterfalls turning into trickles.  One man has lived in Hay River for 40 years, and says he's never seen water levels so low this time of year. "You can see people walking across the river that's only a few feet deep in some areas," said Glenn Smith, the senior administrative officer for the town of Hay River. 

Ottawa blasts its river ice. What would it take to do the same in the N.W.T.?

Ottawa blasts its river ice. What would it take to do the same in the N.W.T.?

In 1951, a man in Hay River, N.W.T., drowned after the town experienced devastating flooding. The cause of the flooding was the same thing that caused the 2022 floods: ice jams. But a 1988 report by the federal government details that a flood prevention measure that had been used the previous three years wasn't used in 1951. This was the practice of ice blasting, using explosives to blow up river ice and prevent jamming. "Because of the flooding in 1951, an extensive blasting program was undertaken in the spring of 1952," the report said.

Get ready for flooding just in case, Hay River tells its residents, as water levels rise slightly

Get ready for flooding just in case, Hay River tells its residents, as water levels rise slightly

The Town of Hay River is reminding residents to get ready for a flood — just in case — as breakup season arrives in the southern N.W.T. Water levels on the Hay River have started rising slightly. Ice is starting to build up a bit near Mile 5 and between Smith Trail and Delancey Estates. On Wednesday afternoon, the town issued a precautionary evacuation notice to residents. It said that an evacuation alert and/or order would come if conditions worsened. 

GNWT seeks multi-year federal funding for Hay River dredging

GNWT seeks multi-year federal funding for Hay River dredging

The issue of dredging in Hay River’s harbour has been on the table for years. Various branches of government have said the issue is not their responsibility, or they have no money to fund it. In the meantime, barges are dragged through silt, boats are damaged, and fishers say the shallow water is hard to safely navigate. In August last year, two barges became stuck in the channel leading to Great Slave Lake.

Former mine site at Pine Point, N.W.T., 1 step closer to seeing new mine open

Former mine site at Pine Point, N.W.T., 1 step closer to seeing new mine open

Pine Point, N.W.T., could have a fully operational lead and zinc mine within the next five years — nearly four decades after the old mine closed down and the nearby community was abandoned. In 2022, Pine Point Mining Limited received its Type A water licence, allowing it to withdraw water to be used for mineral exploration drilling, camp use, dust suppression and testing, among other things. 

Paradise Gardens farmers face uncertain future due to fears of more spring flooding in southern N.W.T.

Paradise Gardens farmers face uncertain future due to fears of more spring flooding in southern N.W.T.

Devastating flooding last spring has many in the farming community around Hay River, N.W.T., contemplating their future. Andrew Cassidy and Helen Green, owners of Greenwood Gardens, are still deciding on their next move as they grapple with what's left of their home and business after floodwaters tore through the Paradise Gardens valley in May. "The flooding was really damaging, like it washed away soil, it washed away our raised beds," Cassidy said.

Cost to recover from Hay River's flood expected to top $174 million

Cost to recover from Hay River's flood expected to top $174 million

The N.W.T. government says it expects flood recovery for Hay River and the Kátł'odeeche Fırst Nation to cost more than $174 million. That figure comes from a report tabled last week in the Legislative Assembly. The report shows the government expects to spend $112.4 million by the end of this fiscal year, and an additional $61.7 million over the next fiscal year, to cover damages and losses from the flood that swept through those communities this past spring. The town, along with surrounding First Nations, experienced historic flooding in May that forced residents to evacuate. Floodwaters damaged roads, homes and key infrastructure — like water treatment plant lines and the landfill.

N.W.T. looking for dredging money, but not on one Hay River MLA's timeline

N.W.T. looking for dredging money, but not on one Hay River MLA's timeline

An N.W.T. MLA is pleading with the territory's infrastructure minister to dredge the Hay River harbour. Rocky Simpson, who represents Hay River South, said the process of removing silt and mud from the bottom of bodies of water is essential for the safety and navigation of vessels — which resupply communities, ship construction materials, and carry out search and rescue missions, among other things.

Hay River mayor, N.W.T. gov't say they won't stop lobbying for dredging in community's harbour

Hay River mayor, N.W.T. gov't say they won't stop lobbying for dredging in community's harbour

The mayor of Hay River says she'll keep "pounding the table" when it comes to the issue of dredging — or lack thereof — in the community's shipping channel that pours into Great Slave Lake, and she hopes "people are listening." Hay River is a hub for Canadian Coast Guard operations and shipping further North. However, in parts of the channel is a buildup of sediment, which sometimes creates obstacles for boats passing through.

Boil-water advisory lifted for South Slave communities

Boil-water advisory lifted for South Slave communities

The advisory was first issued for the communities on May 12 as flooding in Hay River has affected operation of the town’s water treatment plan and resulted in higher than normal turbidity or muddy water. In a public notice on Tuesday, the territorial government announced residents in the four South Slave communities would no longer have to boil their drinking water as turbidity levels had dropped to acceptable levels in water from the water plant and other operational issues had been addressed.

N.W.T. premier 'heartbroken' after witnessing aftermath of Hay River flooding

N.W.T. premier 'heartbroken' after witnessing aftermath of Hay River flooding

After visiting Hay River, N.W.T., Premier Caroline Cochrane said she felt "heartbroken" witnessing the destruction caused by the flooding. The community of nearly 4,000 was evacuated in mid-May as flood waters rose, causing widespread damage. Residents have been returning over the past week to discover the condition of their homes. "Some of the homes and properties are fine. Other properties, minimal damage. But some properties were devastated. They're totally gone. And the water lines up to above their windows," said Cochrane.

Water services restored as premier, MLAs set to visit Hay River, Kátł'odeeche First Nation

Water services restored as premier, MLAs set to visit Hay River, Kátł'odeeche First Nation

Water services are being restored in Hay River, N.W.T., as the premier, minister of municipal and community affairs, and MLAs for Hay River and the Dehcho region prepare to visit the flood-stricken community on Monday. Lift Station No. 1, which serves much of the town, was brought back online Sunday after "extensive electrical and mechanical work" was completed over the weekend. The lift station was almost completely submerged during flooding earlier this month.

K'atl'odeeche First Nation welcomes members home as flooding cleanup continues

K'atl'odeeche First Nation welcomes members home as flooding cleanup continues

In some areas of the K'atl'odeeche First Nation reserve, pavement is caving in and buildings are leaning against power poles — but volunteers are getting as much cleaned up on Tuesday morning as they can. Tuesday afternoon, the First Nation in N.W.T. says members can return to their homes. Most of K'atl'odeeche's residents have been displaced since last Wednesday night, when floodwaters from the Hay River surged into the reserve and the town of Hay River and forced the evacuation of both areas.

Délı̨nę boil-water advisory ends after six days

Délı̨nę boil-water advisory ends after six days

Residents of Délı̨nę no longer need to boil their water before consuming it, the territorial government said on Monday afternoon. The boil-water advisory had been in place since May 10 after unusually high murkiness was reported in the Sahtu community’s drinking water. On Monday, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Services said the advisory had ended and no associated illnesses had been reported.

Pet rescues in limbo as Hay River, N.W.T., faces possibility of losing highway to washouts

Pet rescues in limbo as Hay River, N.W.T., faces possibility of losing highway to washouts

As people on Vale Island fled their homes and drove south to escape floodwaters from the Hay River, they left more behind than just their houses. Some left their pets, thinking they could return to collect them. Those plans vanished when water closed off the highway. At a community town hall meeting on Tuesday, Hay River, N.W.T., Mayor Kandis Jameson said the town is aware pets are stranded on the island and they are trying to find a way to rescue them.

N.W.T. hydrologist explains why flooding is so severe in Hay River

N.W.T. hydrologist explains why flooding is so severe in Hay River

The Hay River has spilled over its banks, and N.W.T. hydrologist Anna Coles says hydrometric gauges installed to measure water levels in the river and its tributaries are showing record high water levels. "The provisional data are showing that we are seeing the highest water levels that those gauges have recorded," said Anna Coles, a hydrologist with the N.W.T. government.

'It was splashing over the windshield': Woman describes flight from flood in N.W.T.'s Paradise Gardens

'It was splashing over the windshield': Woman describes flight from flood in N.W.T.'s Paradise Gardens

As floodwaters from the Hay River rose in Paradise Gardens Sunday night, a neighbour knocked on the door of Bhreagh Ingarfield and her partner Thomas Whittaker's log home. It was Roger Candow, a longtime river watcher. He told them, "You've got to go now — the water's rushing over the road," recalled Ingarfield. The couple had been watching water levels rise and fall for days, waiting for them to go down like usual. When they bought their house in the fall with the hopes of opening a bed and breakfast, no one could remember flooding ever reaching near the property — not even during the flood of 1963.

Feds to help fund feasibility study for new water Hay River treatment plant

Feds to help fund feasibility study for new water Hay River treatment plant

The Town of Hay River will be receiving federal funding to cover half the cost of a feasibility study on the potential construction of a replacement water treatment plant and identification of other water treatment options. The federal government will provide $225,000 for the project under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan. Another $225,000 will come from the town. The federal funding was announced on May 6.

Boil water advisory issued for some South Slave communities

Boil water advisory issued for some South Slave communities

The spring break up has prompted a boil water advisory in Hay River, Enterprise, Kakisa and K'atl'odeeche First Nation. Public health is asking residents in these communities to boil their water for at least one minute before drinking it, because of an increase of muddy water caused by the spring breakup. "This advisory is precautionary in nature, and is due to a reoccurrence of higher than normal turbidity," said a statement from the Chief Environmental Health Officer late Sunday afternoon.

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