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

water level

Wet winter needed to feed next years' crops, say Alberta irrigators amid early water shut-off

Wet winter needed to feed next years' crops, say Alberta irrigators amid early water shut-off

Lake Newell, a reservoir south of Brooks, Alta. that helps feed water to farmland as well as various municipal, industrial, wildlife and recreational areas, is less than half the level it should be heading into winter. The lake is a part of the Eastern Irrigation District (EID), an area east of Calgary bound by the Red Deer river to the north, and the Bow River to the south. On Sept. 25, EID shut down its irrigation season roughly two weeks ahead of when it normally would, due to dry conditions throughout the summer that have strained water supply. 

Summer's over, but Calgary still has water restrictions in place. Here's why

Summer's over, but Calgary still has water restrictions in place. Here's why

While the outdoor watering restrictions implemented in Calgary on Aug. 15 have already saved an estimated 1.1 billion litres of water, they aren't going away any time soon, say city officials. In order to get through what climate models are predicting to be a dry winter, the City of Calgary is planning to keep outdoor water restrictions in place for the time being, to prevent water stores from dropping too low come spring. 

The Mackenzie River is a lot lower than normal. Those who rely on it wonder if it's an anomaly

The Mackenzie River is a lot lower than normal. Those who rely on it wonder if it's an anomaly

Joe Lacorne looks toward the Mackenzie River, a familiar sight for many decades. But the river doesn't look normal. "The water level is really low this year," he said. "It's hard to get around with even boats." Lacorne, who has lived in the tiny hamlet of Fort Providence, N.W.T., for about 60 years, said he keeps an eye on the river for his community. "Spring time, [it's] always like a big rush of snow melting and that's when the water is up high," he said. "But during the summer, we just lost water, just rapidly. Water disappeared."

Edmonton weather: Heavy rainfall raises water level on North Saskatchewan River

Edmonton weather: Heavy rainfall raises water level on North Saskatchewan River

Welcome news as some areas in the province deal with flooding and high water levels. The City of Edmonton sent a public service announcement on Tuesday warning people to “exercise extreme caution around the North Saskatchewan River and its tributaries.” “Due to the continuous rain, the river, as well as shorelines and trails directly near the river, may be unsafe,” said the announcement. “Edmontonians may expect high water levels and increased current flow in the coming days. This may cause some flooding in areas running along the North Saskatchewan River and other natural waterways.”

Houseworks: Retrieving a broken water-well pump

Houseworks: Retrieving a broken water-well pump

Your best hope is to fish down and try and catch hold of the old wires or some other part of the pump, then pull it up. Find a stout metal hook, tie it securely to a 1/4-inch cord, then try your luck. You might just connect with a loop or hole on the pump and pull it up that way.

An American water crisis

An American water crisis

These are desperate days for the Colorado River. The pulsing lifeblood of the U.S. southwest is increasingly parched. To avert catastrophe, the U.S. government will, within weeks, propose historic cuts in water access. It’s a frantic move to protect a river that provides so much: drinking water for tens of millions of people, electricity and food. Lots of food. This indispensable waterway supplies farms that feed hundreds of millions of people, throughout the continent — including Canadians.

Assiniboine River expected to rise as province releases water from Shellmouth Dam

Assiniboine River expected to rise as province releases water from Shellmouth Dam

Water levels on the Assiniboine River and shorelines may create unsafe conditions in the weeks to come as outflow from the Shellmouth dam is increased, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure warns. The water level is expected to rise by one to two feet between the Shellmouth Dam and Brandon, 160 km southeast of the dam. The expected rise is the result of water released from the Shellmouth Reservoir to make room for spring's flow. 

Water level at Sasamat Lake could drop by 2 metres if aging dam removed

Water level at Sasamat Lake could drop by 2 metres if aging dam removed

Imperial Oil's dam on Sasamat Lake has been in place for a century, but the company says it's now considering its removal. The decision could have wide-ranging effects on the Port Moody, B.C., lake, which is a popular destination for Metro Vancouver residents. "We really don't have a need for the dam anymore,'' said Ali Tejpar, project manager of the Sasamat Lake Dam Project.

'Waves onto my front porch'; $17M investment to prevent climate disasters in Port Stanley

'Waves onto my front porch'; $17M investment to prevent climate disasters in Port Stanley

Spencer Noble knows all about the flooding issues on William St. in Port Stanley, Ont. Whenever there is a large rain, he gets a few feet of water on the street in front of his home. "The water comes right up, hits the steps, and when a car comes by it sends waves onto the front porch," says Noble. “We've played in it, and even brought a canoe across the street to the bar, and boogie boarded in the road."

What one region's water level woes reveal about climate change and the St. Lawrence River

What one region's water level woes reveal about climate change and the St. Lawrence River

Strolling along the shore of his home on Ault Island, about 30 minutes west of Cornwall, Ont., Cliff Steinburg points to the end of his dock. He says this summer there was less than a foot of water there, making it impossible to launch a boat. While the river has since stabilized, Steinburg worries what next year will bring to a region known for its fishing, beaches, and boating. "This area cannot go through another season like we did," Steinburg said.  "It's going to have a major effect on tourism. It's going to have a major effect on all of us living here."

Live along the Thames watershed? Conservation group says limit water use

Live along the Thames watershed? Conservation group says limit water use

Residents in areas that draw their water supply from the Thames River watershed are still being urged to conserve water where possible. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) continues to warn of low water levels after initially making the declaration on July 18, 2022. It says it's not a crisis but that the time to conserve is now. "For Level 1 and Level 2, it's about awareness, making people aware that we have lower water levels, and encouraging some conservation practices," said Eleanor Heagy, Communications and Marketing Coordinator.

As flood waters recede, northwestern Ontario communities turn attention to cleanup, mitigation

As flood waters recede, northwestern Ontario communities turn attention to cleanup, mitigation

As flood waters in the area recede, the northwestern Ontario municipality of Sioux Lookout is now shifting its focus to cleaning up, and preparing for the future. "Some people have dumpsters parked in front of their homes, and they're ripping out insulation and drywall for the two or three feet that were soaked in water," explained Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance. "Along the shore, there's all manner of debris," he said. "From tires that might have been incorporated into the lakeside retaining walls to wood that comes from docks to flagpoles, Styrofoam, life jackets."

Rain in the forecast means Lake of the Woods water level likely to rise again

Rain in the forecast means Lake of the Woods water level likely to rise again

Rain in the forecast could increase the water level on Lake of the Woods again in the next few days, just as flood conditions were beginning to improve. As of Friday, the lake was 324.1 metres (1,063.3 feet) above sea level, just a few centimetres below its record crest of 324.31 metres (1,064 feet) above sea level reached during the flood of 1950, according to the Lake of the Woods Control Board. However, rainfall is expected to rise between five and 11 centimetres (two to four inches) over the next week, with most of the rise occurring over the weekend, says the board's most recent notice.

Yukon issues flood warning for Pelly River at Ross River

Yukon issues flood warning for Pelly River at Ross River

A flood warning was issued for the community of Ross River as the water level in the Pelly River rose 20 centimetres in the last two days. In a news release Monday afternoon, the Yukon's Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) said the water level is still rising although the rate at which it is rising has started to slow. "Low lying areas adjacent to the river are currently flooding," the release states.

Emergency operations centre activated on B.C.'s North Coast in anticipation of flooding

Emergency operations centre activated on B.C.'s North Coast in anticipation of flooding

Warming weather is causing rivers to rise in northern British Columbia, prompting Terrace to activate its emergency operations centre in anticipation of possible flooding. The city says activating the centre allows officials to begin flood preparations. Terrace is located on the edge of a broad area in northern B.C. covered by a high streamflow advisory that the River Forecast Centre issued on Wednesday.

Border restrictions keep flooded cabin and resort owners away from their properties

Border restrictions keep flooded cabin and resort owners away from their properties

The water level of Sand Point Lake along the Minnesota-Ontario border continues to rise. Docks are submerged, propane tanks are floating in the water, and floodwaters are lapping against the sides of buildings. Yet dozens of cabin and resort owners on the Canadian side of the lake can’t access their properties, because a Canadian customs office on the lake remains closed.

Memories of 1997 flood back for Manitobans 25 years later, though many want to move on

Memories of 1997 flood back for Manitobans 25 years later, though many want to move on

Jacques Courcelles still vividly recalls his parents' refrigerator floating in the kitchen, anchored like a boat, its cord still attached to the wall outlet under water. "My parents had water over top of the kitchen counters. The air in the fridge was what was making the fridge float," he said, his mind flashing back to April 30, 1997, when the community of Ste. Agathe was first to fall to the Flood of the Century.

Officials warn of possible flooding in one community in New Brunswick this weekend

Officials warn of possible flooding in one community in New Brunswick this weekend

New Brunswick officials are warning about possible flooding this weekend in a community in the province’s northwest. Officials with River Watch said today the Saint John River in Saint-Hilaire, N.B., is expected on Saturday to surpass flood stage, which is the level at which water can cause flooding.

Antigonish residents told to stay home after heavy rain causes flooding

Antigonish residents told to stay home after heavy rain causes flooding

Residents of Antigonish, N.S., are being warned to stay home after heavy rains have caused flooding and washed out roads. Main Street is flooded and closed between Court and St. Andrew's streets. Chisholm Park and Columbus Field are also closed due to rising water, as well as the Creighton Lane parking lot. The closures remained in effect Tuesday night. Town spokesperson Kate Gorman said around 8 p.m. that while water levels had receded, they were expected to increase later because of the incoming tide.

Town of Princeton swamped after floodwaters breach dike

Town of Princeton swamped after floodwaters breach dike

The mayor of Princeton, B.C., says half the town is under water after extreme rains pushed the Tulameen and Similkameen rivers to overflow their banks and dikes. "The water level came up so fast that we couldn't get ahead of it. It just kept coming and coming," said Spencer Coyne. "There's a number of [dike] breaches. Houses are under water, cars are gone." Coyne said water levels were about 150 centimetres higher than the previous worst flood in memory, which hit the town in 1995.

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