Lil’wat Nation closes schools, offices due to water shortage

Xet’olacw Community School and Lil’wat Health & Healing are temporarily closing their doors due to a water shortage.

Today’s classes for students in Grades N, K, 1, immersion Grade 2 and high school are cancelled. Students in Grades 3 to 7 are still a go for a field trip. A Facebook post from the school confirmed buses are still running.

The shortage is the result of a late afternoon BC Hydro power outage, affecting 2009 customers. Once power was restored, workers at the Xétoacw pump house found the facility's pumps wouldn't turn back on. The Nation is currently working to restore the pumps. (Pique Magazine)

Over 100 sites in Alberta being looked at for water storage potential

More than 100 sites are being studied across Alberta as potential locations where dams, reservoirs or other infrastructure can be built to help meet future demand for water. 

The Water Storage Opportunities Study will support long-term planning to maximize water supply, reduce the risk of future droughts or floods, and support growing communities, the Province said when the study was announced on Dec. 5. 

The geography and climate in Alberta mean precipitation can vary greatly from year to year, and creating more dams, reservoirs and other infrastructure can potentially help capture and store more water, the Province said. (Western Wheel)

Supporters, opponents of Alberta coal mine square off at public hearing

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) began hearings Tuesday in Pincher Creek, Alberta, following a controversial proposal to explore coal mining on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Northback Holdings has applied for three new exploration permits for a coal mine at Grassy Mountain in the Crowsnest Pass despite previous rejections by federal and provincial review panels.

Supporters argue the project could create jobs and highlight improved mining regulations.

However, ranchers, environmentalists, and First Nations members expressed concerns about impacts on the Oldman and Crowsnest River watersheds and downstream communities. (Canadian Occupational safety)

Notes from the field: Researchers map impact of beaver dams and logging on Kananaskis ecosystem

Visiting USask research team and Biogeoscience Institute educators deepen our understanding of water movement and flooding effects in Sibbald Valley

The beaver is a well-known symbol associated with Canada. But in Alberta, beavers are not always looked upon favourably. 

Historically, tensions between beavers, farmers and ranchers have been high, as beavers can fell many trees and their dam-building can cause fields to flood, damaging crops and grazing areas. That's why researchers from the University of Saskatchewan have been using a field station run by the University of Calgary's Biogeoscience Insititute to deepen their understanding of how beavers interact with their environments. The researchers are exploring the impacts of beavers and their structures on hydrology and ecosystem health within the Sibbald Valley in Kananaskis Country. 

The USask team has been studying beavers in this area for more than 10 years, using the Barrier Lake Field Station about 60 kilometres west of Calgary almost every summer to complete their field work. (UCalgary)

Water soldier and hydrilla were discovered lurking in Ontario waterways in 2024 — Why boaters are being warned to clean their gear for the 2025 boating season

Two invasive aquatic plants were discovered in new parts of the province in 2024, leading to advisories for boaters and outdoors people.

Lauren Rogers, senior communications co-ordinator at Ontario’s Invasive Species Centre, said hydrilla and water soldier saw new detections earlier this year. Both plants are regulated under the province’s Invasive Species Act.

When heading back to the water in 2025, Rogers said boaters and outdoor enthusiasts should step up precautions against spreading invasive aquatic plants. “The messaging is really reiterating to folks the importance of cleaning, draining and drying your watercraft and also reporting any invasive species that you see,” she said. (Muskoka Region)

Water restrictions lifted for several Halifax-area communities

Water-use restrictions for a number of Halifax-area communities supplied by Lake Major are being lifted, now that levels in the reservoir have recovered after dropping during last month's dry stretch.

Halifax Water asked in mid-November for households and businesses in Dartmouth, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage to voluntarily curb their water use, including taking shorter showers and flushing toilets less often. 

The utility then issued mandatory restrictions for the communities on Nov. 25, prohibiting people from watering their gardens and lawns, washing vehicles and from filling backyard ice rinks. (CBC)