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 levels

Watershed groups express concern over water levels as Alberta looks for solutions

Watershed groups express concern over water levels as Alberta looks for solutions

As Alberta grapples with low rivers, dry fields and minimal snowpack, the provincial government is asking for help with its drought modelling for next year. Concerns about water levels are being echoed by watershed groups in the province, as a sustained period of drier-than-average conditions have taken a toll on reserves. The Alberta government recently issued a request for proposals to help conduct modelling throughout the winter, and to work with municipalities, farmers, water users and others to find ways to maximize the province's water supply in the South Saskatchewan River Basin. 

Vancouver experiencing minor flooding due to high ocean water levels

Vancouver experiencing minor flooding due to high ocean water levels

Minor coastal flooding is possible this weekend due to elevated ocean water levels on B.C.’s South Coast. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the region early Saturday morning. “(A) low barometric pressure will combine with a period of high astronomical tide to produce elevated water levels (Saturday) and Sunday,” Environment Canada staff said in the statement.

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. 

Canada’s largest outdoor freshwater pool is in Ontario & it has cliff-jumping

Canada’s largest outdoor freshwater pool is in Ontario & it has cliff-jumping

What better way to stay cool this summer than by plunging into Canada’s largest outdoor freshwater pool? You’re in luck because St. Mary’s Quarry in Ontario is exactly that. This swimming hole used to be a limestone quarry way back in the 1920s. It has since been converted into a massive outdoor swimming area that stays popular all summer long for its refreshing waters and aquatic activities.

After the flood: Alberta communities assessing damage as water levels recede

After the flood: Alberta communities assessing damage as water levels recede

West-central Alberta communities are assessing damage and making repairs as flood waters recede. In the town of Edson, 100 kilometres west of Edmonton, a state of local emergency ended Monday after a tumultuous two weeks of fire and flood.

UPDATED: Flooding follows Ottawa thunderstorm warnings

UPDATED: Flooding follows Ottawa thunderstorm warnings

Sudden downpours flooded parts of Ottawa Monday evening, leaving some streets swamped as storms rumbled through the region. Videos on social media showed torrential scenes in the Glebe and near Lansdowne. Marilyn Journeaux, Director, Water Services-Linear with the city of Ottawa, said in a statement Wednesday afternoon following the storm that the city was “not aware of any flooding occurring on private property due to Monday’s heavy rainfalls.” “Monday’s severe storm delivered heavy rainfalls in our city in a short time, posing a risk of overwhelming the city’s storm sewer system and causing flooding to nearby properties,” Jorneaux said. “In order to safeguard residents’ properties and address these concerns, the city has diligently worked on enhancing our drainage system over the past two decades, incorporating infrastructure modifications into its design.

Hot and dry summer could affect Calgary's water levels

Hot and dry summer could affect Calgary's water levels

The beginning of June in Calgary has been hot and dry, and that could have an affect on the city’s water supply through summer. Environment Canada and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says Calgary has come into the summer season with dryer than normal conditions — spring 2023 ended as the fifth driest spring on record.

Canmore water ban lifted, Epcor fixing leaks

Canmore water ban lifted, Epcor fixing leaks

The ban on non-essential water use in Canmore and the surrounding area has been lifted, allowing residents to resume normal water use. On Wednesday afternoon, the Town of Canmore and Epcor thanked residents for complying with the ban that had been in place since Friday. Residents and businesses in Canmore, Harvie Heights and Deadman’s Flats were asked to refrain from using water for things like laundry, watering lawns, washing cars, washing driveways or sidewalks, or from filling hot tubs or pools. That reduced usage helped restore water levels in the Grassi Reservoir, which is now up to “appropriate” water levels.

Mattawa declares state of emergency as water levels keep rising

Mattawa declares state of emergency as water levels keep rising

Minor flooding in the Town of Mattawa, combined with steadily rising water levels, prompted Mayor Raymond Belanger to declare a state of emergency Tuesday. In a statement, the town said that water levels are expected to continue rising until they reach a peak of about 154.6 metres. “The Town of Mattawa put a plan in place,” the statement said.

Evacuation order issued in northern Okanagan as Whiteman's Creek overflows

Evacuation order issued in northern Okanagan as Whiteman's Creek overflows

Residents of several properties in B.C.'s North Okanagan were ordered to evacuate their homes as a nearby creek overflowed Tuesday. Officials say they're concerned about the flood risk associated with Whiteman's Creek, close to where it empties into Okanagan Lake about 70 kilometres north of Kelowna, B.C. According to the Okanagan Indian Band, which issued the evacuation order, residents on the south side of Falcon Avenue, adjacent to Whiteman's Creek, must leave their properties immediately. This includes people living at addresses 161 to 195 Falcon Avenue, as well as Nos. 54 and 55. 

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. 

Flood level still moderate as Red River reaches crest in Fargo, says U.S. weather service

Flood level still moderate as Red River reaches crest in Fargo, says U.S. weather service

The Red River reached its peak in Fargo, N.D., early Saturday morning, but the flood level is still considered moderate, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. Amanda Lee, a service hydrologist at the National Weather Service, said the river crested at 29.74 feet (just over nine metres) in the North Dakota city, which is about 225 kilometres south of the U.S.-Canada border, around 2 a.m. on Saturday.

Goulais River water levels begin to fall: Hydrometric data

Goulais River water levels begin to fall: Hydrometric data

Residents in Goulais have taken to social media to share photos of this week’s significant flooding that has taken place in the area. Warmer weekend temperatures and some rainfall to start the work week has melted much of the remaining snow, leaving some roadways in the Goulais area inaccessible. According to the Government of Canada’s hydrometric data research, the latest water level measurements taken from Goulais River near Kirby’s Corner appear to have peaked today and those numbers are slowly beginning to fall.

Montreal on spring flood alert as water levels climb

Montreal on spring flood alert as water levels climb

Montreal is on alert and ready to help people prepare for flooding as water levels upriver begin to rise. The city activated its alert mode as part of its special flood response plan on Sunday and city workers erected temporary dikes along the shoreline in some areas where the river was already swelling above its banks. Neighbourhoods bordering Rivière-des-Prairies, Lake of Two Mountains and Lac St-Louis are particularly at risk of spring flooding, with water levels expected to increase over the next two days.

Swift Current continues state of emergency due to flood risk from creek levels

Swift Current continues state of emergency due to flood risk from creek levels

Swift Current will remain in a state of emergency, as rising waters encroach on the edges of the Swift Current Creek, officials said Saturday. The city declared the emergency as a proactive measure on Tuesday evening, in response to rising creek levels. The declaration allows the southwestern Saskatchewan city to restrict access to areas that are under flood conditions and to work zones.

Swift Current, Sask., remains in state of emergency due to flooding from creek

Swift Current, Sask., remains in state of emergency due to flooding from creek

Swift Current, Sask., has been experiencing flooding over the last few days due to the spring melt, so much so that the city called an official state of emergency at 5 p.m. CST Tuesday night. As of 4 p.m. CST Wednesday, the city remained under that state of emergency, as water levels continued to be high. The city said the decision to declare the emergency was meant as a proactive measure, as there is the potential of increased spring water run-off. The city said the source of the flooding is the Swift Current Creek.

Weekend rains bring helpful boost to Puntledge Water System, misses Campbell River

Weekend rains bring helpful boost to Puntledge Water System, misses Campbell River

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.

'Above-average' flooding could hit Ottawa region this spring

'Above-average' flooding could hit Ottawa region this spring

A City of Ottawa task force is monitoring water levels ahead of the spring thaw and says there's no major flooding in the immediate forecast — but that could change in the weeks ahead. Water levels are currently normal or close to normal, according to the joint Thursday memo from public works general manager Alain Gonthier and Kim Ayotte, general manager of emergency and protective services.

Help identify water concerns in the Creston Valley

Help identify water concerns in the Creston Valley

Have you noticed lower water levels in your favourite creek? Are you worried about your community’s water supply? Do you have questions about how climate change will impact local fish populations? If you have concerns around water in your region, you’re not alone. The Creston Valley is vulnerable to climate change which is altering our water cycle. Disappearing glaciers, record-breaking summer temperatures, prolonged dry periods and extreme flooding all have serious repercussions for our communities and ecosystems.

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