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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Compare and contrast: Libya dam collapse: engineering expert raises questions about management
The Conversation – Africa
More than 11,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands are missing following the catastrophic collapse of two dams in the eastern Libyan city of Derna. The dam collapse came after an extreme storm, Storm Daniel, slammed into the north African country. The Conversation Africa’s Moina Spooner asked water resources and engineering expert Nadhir Al-Ansari, who has researched the design and safety of dams, to provide insights into the disaster. Click here to continue reading
The grim reality of drought and farming
CBC News
Due to the drought conditions, many farmers had their crops in the bin early, even though there wasn’t much to harvest. We talked to one farmer during the last few swaths of the field about how challenging the last few years have been. Click here to continue reading
Device that monitors Red Deer River for oil spills was installed on Taylor Bridge this week
Red Deer Advocate
Traffic on Taylor Bridge in Red Deer was inconvenienced for a good environmental cause on Thursday. City of Red Deer workers took a northbound lane out of commission for the installation of a new $50,000 hydrocarbon detector. The pipe-like device is now hanging down one side of the bridge and constantly scanning water flow in the Red Deer River. Click here to continue reading
Lacombe County seeking funding for wetland initiative
Red Deer Advocate
Cellphone photographers could help track changing lake landscapes if Lacombe County is successful in getting funding for a wetlands preservation project. In its pitch for funding, the county says it plans to set up fixed-point photography sites at Gull, Sylvan, Buffalo and Lacombe Lakes. They involve a post topped with a guide frame allowing photographers to place their cellphones in exactly the same spots. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: What are medicanes? The ‘supercharged’ Mediterranean storms that could become more frequent
The Guardian
The flash flood that has killed thousands of people in Libya this week followed a “medicane”, a rare but destructive weather phenomenon that scientists believe will intensify in a warming world. The term is an amalgamation of the words Mediterranean and hurricane. Used by scientists and weather forecasters, it is less well known to the wider public. Click here to continue reading
Five amazing ocean sites to make the first protected high seas areas
The Guardian
From 20 September, the UN’s high seas treaty will at last be open for signatures – an important moment that starts the process for nations to ratify it into their own laws. At least 60 countries must do so for the treaty to come into force. Scientists hope that it will finally allow marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas to be established. Click here to continue reading
New project in Saskatoon’s Churchill Park will significantly reduce neighbourhood flooding
Water Canada
Devastating floods are less of a concern for dozens of property owners in the Adelaide/Churchill Park neighbourhood, thanks to a new project in the north end of Churchill Park. The new dry storm pond is the second of nine flood mitigation projects to be completed under the Flood Control Strategy (FCS) by 2027. The FCS was approved by Saskatoon City Council in 2018. Click here to continue reading
Genetically modified bacteria break down plastics in saltwater
Science Daily
Researchers have genetically engineered a marine microorganism to break down plastic in salt water. Specifically, the modified organism can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic used in everything from water bottles to clothing that is a significant contributor to microplastic pollution in oceans. Click here to continue reading
Oceans could be used for carbon capture on a big scale
CBC News
Scientists have said we’re poised to overshoot the 1.5 C warming target enshrined in the Paris Agreement, and that in order to return to 1.5 C by 2100, we would need to remove vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon capture from smokestacks or the air, using technology and tree planting, has received a lot of attention and funding. But last week, a few hundred scientists around the world argued that more attention should be paid to carbon capture in the ocean. Click here to continue reading
Edmonton Libyan community fundraising to help those affected by deadly flood back home
CTV News
Libyan Edmontonians are working to get supplies to family and friends who have been affected by flooding in the eastern part of their home country. Heavy rains from the Mediterranean storm Daniel caused the collapse of two dams on Monday, sending water several metres high gushing through the port city Derna. Click here to continue reading