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A floating island keeps appearing and disappearing in a B.C. reservoir
🇨🇦 Canada /Environment & Climate

A floating island keeps appearing and disappearing in a B.C. reservoir

From Global News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Ongoing story
  • A floating island of trees and vegetation, roughly the size of a soccer field, has appeared, disappeared and resurfaced in Williston Reservoir in northern British Columbia.
  • B.C. Hydro believes the structure formed from decaying logs and tree roots that broke free as reservoir levels reached their highest point in 14 years.
  • Officials do not consider it a threat to the nearby W.A.C. Bennett Dam, but experts advise visitors to observe the unstable structure from a distance.

A forest large enough to cover a soccer field is drifting through British Columbia’s Williston Reservoir, appearing in one place, disappearing and then turning up somewhere else.

flimsy

— Bob GammerB.C. Hydro’s spokesperson described the floating structure’s likely condition and warned it could be dangerous.

The mass of densely woven vegetation measures about 70 metres by 140 metres. People first spotted it in July near Finlay Bay, in the middle of the reservoir’s northern interior. Satellite images confirmed its location, but by August it had vanished. Weeks later, it reappeared on the reservoir’s banks after strong winds pushed it north.

B.C. Hydro believes the island began as a collection of decaying logs. Over many years, tree roots bound the material together before rising water lifted it from the shore. Reservoir levels are at their highest in 14 years, and the man-made lake is effectively full.

a needle in a haystack

— Bob GammerHe compared the difficulty of tracking the island across the vast reservoir to finding a needle in a haystack.

B.C. Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer described tracking the moving island as looking for “a needle in a haystack.” He said the structure was likely flimsy and dangerous. Earth sciences professor John Clague called the sight a “fairytale” and warned visitors not to step onto it.

fairytale

— John ClagueThe Simon Fraser University earth sciences professor described the unusual appearance of a forested island floating on a lake.

Rocky Avery, a longtime resident of McKenzie who posted a video online, said he had never seen anything like it and planned to fly over for a better view. The island is moving away from the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, and B.C. Hydro does not believe it threatens the facility. Gammer said the floating structure may support fish, birds, trees and small animals within its web of branches.

It’s remarkable to see it sitting there floating around; who knows how long it’ll be out there

— Rocky AveryA local resident who filmed the island described his reaction to seeing it on the reservoir.
About this summary

Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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