Water News
Alberta Water News is a free, subscription-based service that provides the latest information on water news across Alberta and upcoming events.
The news is distributed weekly on Mondays via a collated email and Monday to Friday via WaterPortal social media (X was Twitter). Please note that news will not be distributed on Holiday Mondays and will be released the following Tuesday.
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20% of Kherson remains underwater after dam breach, says UN
CBC News
A CBC News team is on the ground in the Kherson flood disaster zone in southern Ukraine, where floodwaters are receding, but much of the city remains underwater amid widespread ecological damage. Click here to continue reading
4,000 square kilometres of land has burned near Sambaa K’e. What does that mean for fish?
CBC News
After a wildfire tore through the forest around Kakisa, N.W.T., in 2014, Lloyd Chicot began noticing changes in the lake: the pickerel grew fatter, and the pelicans moved in. Chicot, the chief of Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation, attributes the change partly to climate change and partly to runoff from the fire, which brought nutrients and debris into the lake. Click here to continue reading
Dry weather leads to low water levels near Edmonton, residents asked to conserve
Global News
Businesses and people living west of Edmonton are being asked to limit water use amid hot, dry weather. The City of St. Albert, Alta., asked residents and business owners to conserve water Monday. The three reservoirs that store water for community use and fire protection are at “near critical” levels, according to the city. Click here to continue reading
Non-essential water ban extended for Canmore area
Global News
A ban on non-essential water use in the Alberta mountain town of Canmore and surrounding area was extended Monday afternoon, Epcor announced. The ban was declared Friday for Canmore, Harvie Heights and Deadman’s Flats, where residents and businesses were asked to restrict their water use until at least Monday because an increase in water demand led to the water level in the Grassi Reservoir falling below 50 per cent. Click here to continue reading
Hot and dry conditions could produce ‘catastrophic’ situation for Alberta ranchers
Global News
Southern Alberta ranchers have hit a crisis point due to the continued hot and dry conditions this spring, according to the vice chair of the Alberta Beef Producers. By mid-June, Darwin Randle’s fields east of High River should be filled with green barley. This year, they’re dusty. Many seeds haven’t even germinated. Click here to continue reading
Northwest Calgary sinkhole leaves community association without water
Global News
A community association in northwest Calgary is out of water after a sinkhole appeared on Friday. The crater along Silver Ridge Close N.W. opened up Thursday and snagged the front end of a SUV. On Monday, the Silver Springs Community Association said the building will be closed on Tuesday due to a water main break from the sinkhole. All fitness programs and classes were cancelled. Click here to continue reading
Parks Canada closes trails in Waterton Lakes National Park due to flooding
Global News
Parks Canada closed off hiking trails and backcountry campgrounds in Waterton Lakes National Park due to flooding concerns. In a bulletin posted on Monday, all hiking trails in Waterton Lakes National Park were closed with the exception of Townsite and Kootenai Brown Trail along with Townsite Lakeshore Trail. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Visitors warned away from Texas beach after thousands of dead fish wash up
The Guardian
Tens of thousands of dead fish washed up on the Gulf coast of Texas over the weekend, covering the shoreline with rotting carcasses and leading local officials to warn visitors to keep away. Waves from the Gulf of Mexico pushed in dead fish “by the thousands” on Friday in Brazoria county, which is more than 40 miles (64km) south of Houston, local officials said. Click here to continue reading
‘Everything Will Die’: A Dam Blast Imperils Ukraine’s Vital Lifeline
The New York Times
Built 75 years ago, the Kakhovka Reservoir, the largest body of fresh water in Ukraine, is the life and livelihood of communities across a huge region. Its water feeds everything from small homes to large industries, with gardens, vineyards, shipping businesses and steel plants all reliant on the reservoir. Now, all are under threat. The towns and villages that grew up around the reservoir face hardship, even extinction, endangering a critical pillar of Ukraine’s economy. Click here to continue reading
Blue-green algae found in Pine Lake
Red Deer Advocate
The heat wave has triggered a blue-green algae bloom in Pine Lake. Blue-green algae thrives in warm, slow-moving water and in central Alberta frequently follows a prolonged spike in temperatures. Alberta Health Services (AHS) is warning residents to avoid all contact with the algae. If coming in contact wash those areas with clean water immediately. Click here to continue reading