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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Seeding almost complete in central Alberta
Red Deer Advocate
In total, 96 per cent of major crops have been seeded, up 13 per cent from a week earlier. That is slightly behind the five-year average of 98.6 per cent and the 10-year average of 97.4 per cent. However, moisture remains a concern, says the report from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation and Agricultural Financial Services Corporation. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Iraq’s oil boom blamed for worsening water crisis in drought-hit south
The Guardian
Water scarcity has already displaced thousands and increased instability, according to international experts, while Iraq is now considered the fifth most vulnerable country to the climate crisis by the UN. In the oil-rich but extremely dry south, wetlands that used to feed entire communities are now muddy canals. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Clumps of 5,000-mile seaweed blob bring flesh-eating bacteria to Florida
The Guardian
The alarming discovery by marine biologists at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) lends a dangerous new aspect to the brown seaweed onslaught, which is already threatening to spoil the state’s busy summer tourism season as coatings of decaying goop exude a pungent aroma akin to that of rotting eggs. Click here to continue reading
Officials declare Halifax-area wildfire largely contained as rain brings relief
Sylvan Lake News
A Halifax-area wildfire that forced thousands of residents from their homes over the past week is 85 per cent contained and no longer spreading, officials said Saturday morning. Click here to continue reading
Wildfire situation improving, Alberta no longer in state of emergency
CTV News
Alberta is no longer under a provincial state of emergency. The Emergency Management Act was invoked on May 6 to help mobilize firefighting and evacuee resources as 110 wildfires burned in the province. So far in the 2023 Alberta wildfire season, there have been 563 wildfires. Click here to continue reading
Boil Water Advisory lifted
City of Calgary
The precautionary Boil Water Advisory that went into effect for the communities of Silverado, Belmont and Yorkville has been fully lifted by Alberta Health Services. The advisory for the community of Silverado was lifted on June 3, with the remaining communities of Belmont and Yorkville lifted on June 4. Click here to continue reading
New accessible fishing dock now open in Lacombe
Red Deer Advocate
A new fully accessible fishing dock is now open at a Lacombe pond. There was a grand opening for the dock at the Len Thompson Trout Pond on Saturday ahead of the Lacombe Fish and Game Association’s annual Kids Can Catch event. Click here to continue reading
Record-breaking heat in N.W.T., Nunavut, has ‘scary’ implications for land users
CBC News
In fact, it was the hottest ever on record for the communities of Arviat, Baker Lake, and Rankin Inlet in Nunavut, as well as for Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and Yellowknife in the N.W.T. Taking a step back and looking at the entire meteorological spring, from the start of March to the end of May — it was the driest ever on record for Fort Liard. Click here to continue reading
Government of Canada invests in further protecting Canada’s waters from aquatic invasive species
Water Canada
Threats to biodiversity are being felt across Canada and the world. After habitat loss, invasive species are the second biggest threat to global biodiversity. Aquatic invasive species pose a serious threat to Canada’s waters, economy and society. They can grow quickly, compete with native species and alter habitats. Click here to continue reading
Microplastics found in every sample of water taken during Ocean Race
The Guardian
Sailors testing the waters during the Ocean Race, which travels through some of the world’s most remote ocean environments, have found microplastics in every sample. Up to 1,884 microplastic particles were found per cubic metre of seawater in some locations, up to 18 times higher than in similar tests during the last Ocean Race, which ended in 2018. Scientists noted that the sensitivity of their instruments is now higher. Click here to continue reading