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

Trout Lake

4 Metro Vancouver beaches closed to swimming due to high E. coli counts

4 Metro Vancouver beaches closed to swimming due to high E. coli counts

Health officials have closed a number of Metro Vancouver swimming beaches due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. Vancouver Coastal Health says English Bay, Trout Lake, Locarno Beach and Sandy Beach on Bowen Island are closed to swimmers because water samples contained E. coli levels that exceed recommended guidelines. Swimming beaches in Metro Vancouver may be required to close when a single sample finds E. coli levels exceeding 400 in 100 millilitres of water or the geometric mean of five days of samples surpasses 200 E. coli in 100 millilitres.

Floating island launched in Vancouver's Trout Lake meant to improve water quality

Floating island launched in Vancouver's Trout Lake meant to improve water quality

Trout Lake in East Vancouver is often among the first places in the city to be closed to swimmers each year because of poor water quality — namely E. coli. It's a scenic, small lake in John Hendry Park that's popular with locals, as well as ducks and geese. On Monday, the Vancouver Park Board launched a floating island into the lake with the goal of increasing biodiversity and helping with water quality.

Sambaa K'e, N.W.T., drying out after flash flood Sunday

Sambaa K'e, N.W.T., drying out after flash flood Sunday

Water levels have receded in Sambaa K'e, N.W.T., after a flash flood Sunday swamped some homes and properties. Dennis Deneron said there are still some low-laying areas with high water levels in the community of about 90 residents, but the community can begin cleanup now. The flood happened when ice blocked the main channel of Island River, which flows into Trout Lake. Deneron said that forced the water through another channel close to the community and into some people's yards.

The future is now for Trout Lake

The future is now for Trout Lake

A new watershed study and management plan is in the works for Trout Lake. Recently, East Ferris and North Bay held open houses to provide information on the project and hear feedback from residents who have questions or concerns about the lake. Members of the Trout Lake Conservation Association (TLCA) attended the North Bay open house, which was held in the atrium of City Hall on March 13 and had an opportunity to share their concerns about the lake’s future.

Council approves study of Trout Lake, city's sole source of drinking water

Council approves study of Trout Lake, city's sole source of drinking water

The city has agreed to move forward on the first watershed study on Trout Lake – the sole source of drinking water for North Bay – in nearly 30 years. North Bay council awarded a $112,809.38 contract, plus HST, Tuesday evening to J.L Richards & Associates Ltd. to conduct the study and prepare a management plan for the lake. A staff report provided to council ahead of the meeting says the study and management plan are important to ensure the lake and inflowing streams are appropriately protected.

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