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.  

Subscribe here for the free service, or follow the WaterPortal on your preferred social media platform.

Compare and contrast: Most inland bathing spots in England have unsafe pollution levels, report finds

PUBLISHED: 21 November 2023      Last Edited: 21 November 2023

The Guardian

In a survey of a representative sample of popular swimming and water sports locations, 60% were found to have pollution at unsafe levels, the annual report from Surfers Against Sewage said. Click here to continue reading

Compare and contrast: Irrigators overdrew 40,000ML of water from NSW rivers, audit finds, as farmers protest buy-backs

PUBLISHED: 21 November 2023      Last Edited: 21 November 2023

The Guardian

Irrigators in New South Wales have withdrawn the equivalent of 16,000 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of water over their allowed limits from waterways throughout the state. Click here to continue reading

Canadian coal mines still poisoning U.S. waters, U.S. study finds

PUBLISHED: 21 November 2023      Last Edited: 21 November 2023

National Observer

A new American study has confirmed southeastern British Columbia coal mines are contaminating waters shared by Canada and the U.S., adding the miner’s attempts to remove selenium from wastewater aren’t making much difference to the amount flowing south. Click here to continue reading

Compare and contrast: Why the Pyrenees’ mountain lakes are turning green

PUBLISHED: 21 November 2023      Last Edited: 21 November 2023

The Conversation – Europe

We sampled more than 100 mountain lakes located in the eastern Pyrenees to the Béarn region (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) at least once a year. Over time, we noticed changes, in particular the increased growth of algae cyanobacteria and sometimes dinoflagellates, the blue-green algae that turn many lakes green. Click here to continue reading

Compare and contrast: Ghana: Akosombo Dam disaster reveals a history of negligence that continues to this day

PUBLISHED: 21 November 2023      Last Edited: 21 November 2023

The Conversation – Africa

Recent heavy downpours in the Lower Volta area of Ghana led to the worst flooding in the region’s history. The flooding was caused by a spillage (a deliberate release of water) from the Akosombo Dam, the country’s biggest hydroelectric dam. Over 26,000 people were displaced. Click here to continue reading

 

Compare and contrast: Are wetlands really flood risk? Experts debunk most common myths around these precious ecosystems

PUBLISHED: 21 November 2023      Last Edited: 21 November 2023

EuroNews Green

Bog bodies and flood risks: Here’s what Europeans are getting wrong on wetlands. Click here to continue reading

Compare and contrast: “Dams now run smarter with AI”

PUBLISHED: 20 November 2023      Last Edited: 20 November 2023

Science Daily

Scientists have leveraged artificial intelligence models to enhance dam operations. A research team recently employed deep learning techniques to scrutinize dam operation patterns and assess their effectiveness. Click here to continue reading

Living in Merritt is like living on an active volcano, says city manager, as concerns loom over flood risk

PUBLISHED: 20 November 2023      Last Edited: 20 November 2023

CBC

Residents, municipal officials worry not enough is being done to prevent future flooding. Click here to continue reading

‘Forever contaminant’ road salts pose an icy dilemma: Do we protect drivers or our fresh water?

PUBLISHED: 20 November 2023      Last Edited: 20 November 2023

The Conversation Canada

For decades, applying road salt has been regarded as a simple but vital tool in countering the dangers of slippery road conditions, but the downsides of its use are apparent with implications that extend beyond the cold months. But now we are finding that this chemical also disrupts the delicate balance of oxygen and nutrients in our freshwater lakes and ponds. Click here to continue reading

Hub to study climate change’s effect on water

PUBLISHED: 17 November 2023      Last Edited: 17 November 2023

The Western Producer

A UN University Hub focusing on water will be located at the University of Calgary to help communities adapt to changes.  Bridging the gap between scientists and decision makers to better deal with the impact of climate change on water is one goal of a pioneering global initiative involving the University of Calgary. Click here to continue reading

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