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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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
Farmers need rain — and soon
Red Deer Advocate
Persistent dry conditions through May and into June has farmers hoping for a repeat of last year’s last-minute reprieve. The Alberta Crop Report released Friday said the central and south regions and portions of the Peace Region, and northeast and northwest Alberta are experiencing drier-than-normal conditions. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Concern over Loch Ness low water levels amid UK dry spell
The Guardian
Concern has been raised about the water levels of Loch Ness and the River Ness amid the protracted dry spell affecting Scotland and the rest of the UK. Brian Shaw, the director of Ness District Salmon Fishery Board, said there had been a dramatic shrinkage in the size of the River Ness. Click here to continue reading
Canmore, Alta., under non-essential water ban as hot temperatures cause low reservoir
CBC News
Residents and businesses in Canmore, Harvie Heights and Deadman’s Flats are facing a mandatory non-essential water ban, according to the Town of Canmore. As of Friday at 11:45 a.m., the town said Epcor is advising all residents and businesses in the three areas to stop non-essential water use. This ban includes watering lawns, gardens, trees, or shrubs, washing cars, sidewalks, driveways, or houses with water, doing laundry, and filling hot tubs or swimming pools. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: ‘A portion of paradise’: how the drought is bringing a lost US canyon back to life
The Guardian
Record dryness has restored an ecosystem under Lake Powell, the country’s second-largest reservoir. Is it time to see it as ‘a national park rather than a storage tank’? Click here to continue reading
Ecological consequences of dam collapse in southern Ukraine will be generational, experts say
CBC News
The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam was a fast-moving disaster that is swiftly evolving into a long-term environmental catastrophe affecting drinking water, food supplies and ecosystems reaching into the Black Sea. The short-term dangers can be seen from outer space — tens of thousands of parcels of land flooded, and more to come. Experts say the long-term consequences will be generational. Click here to continue reading
Extremely dry spring leaves southern Albertan farmers on the road to ‘zero production’
Global News
Crops in southern Alberta that should be green are turning brown. With little to no measurable precipitation since mid-April in areas south of Calgary, some farmers are already predicting crop losses. According to the June 6 Agricultural Moisture Situation update a warm, dry fall and spring has failed to recharge soil moisture leaving many areas facing once in 50-year lows for this time of year. Click here to continue reading