Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

HOW TO: Hants County garden club clears the water on the many uses of rain barrels to harness the free, pure resource

HOW TO: Hants County garden club clears the water on the many uses of rain barrels to harness the free, pure resource

Rain barrels are becoming a common site in gardens. But how do they work? How do you prevent them from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes? And are they worth it? The original purpose of the Mount Denson Garden Club of Hants County was social — just to enjoy gardening. Meeting at the Hants Wildlife Association building in Mount Denson on the second Wednesday of the month, it has since turned into more of a learning and sharing club with the hope of growing the love of gardening and nature in the community.

Calgary firm pleads guilty to acidic water release in west-central Alberta

Calgary firm pleads guilty to acidic water release in west-central Alberta

Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd. has pleaded guilty to a charge related to the company's release of acidic water in west-central Alberta in October 2019. The Calgary-based company was charged in October 2021 with breaching environmental protection laws by the Alberta Energy Regulator. In an agreed statement of facts, Tidewater acknowledged the release occurred at the company's Ram River sour gas processing plant near Rocky Mountain House.

Drier weather in southwestern Ontario may impact farmers' crops

Drier weather in southwestern Ontario may impact farmers' crops

Dry, hot weather in southwestern Ontario may have an impact on farmers' crops, cutting into profits this season. According to data collected by Environment Canada, after 9.2 mm of rain fell on June 20, only 6.1 mm fell from June 21 to July 4. During that span, three heat warnings were issued by the weather authority, with temperatures reaching the low to mid-thirties. Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, said the heat is "definitely more concentrated in extreme southwestern Ontario."

Another part of Klondike Hwy partially closed, this one due to flooding

Another part of Klondike Hwy partially closed, this one due to flooding

There's been another partial closure on Yukon highways Monday – the North Klondike Highway near Horse Creek Road is down to one lane traffic after flooded that part of the highway. Resident Darren Holcombe said he was passing through the area when he saw a few cars stopped. Then, he said he saw water flooding onto the road. "The water is pouring across the road, kind of eating away around the culvert where all the gravel is," he said.

Rock the Park attendees can now fill up their own water bottles for free

Rock the Park attendees can now fill up their own water bottles for free

Organizers of Rock the Park have requested the city provide free water at the weekend music festival after being criticized for only offering water bottles that attendees had to buy. City spokesperson Patti McKague said the request was made Monday and the city has obliged. The four-day music festival takes place July 13 to 17 in Harris Park after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, CBC News reported that a 72-year-old volunteer quit in disgust after learning that the only source of water would be bottled water sold at $5 apiece.

Dairy Farmers of Canada's Latest Campaign a Rallying Cry for Sustainable Agriculture

Dairy Farmers of Canada's Latest Campaign a Rallying Cry for Sustainable Agriculture

"I'm In" shines a light on sustainable strategies being undertaken by Canadian dairy farmers, through the sector's robust quality assurance program, proAction®, as well as other initiatives and innovations including a focus on soil health and water retention, plastics recycling, renewable energy and enhanced biodiversity. Highlighting these efforts are real farmers – who, for decades, have been making improvements that are beneficial for the farm and the environment – telling their own stories as they work year-round to produce high-quality, safe and nutritious milk. Canadians can continue to put their trust in dairy farmers who share their experience with real-life projects such as sustainable cropping practices (regenerative agriculture), wetland restoration, tree planting, carbon sequestration and more.

North Whiteshell businesses welcome back customers after record flooding

North Whiteshell businesses welcome back customers after record flooding

Business owners in the Whiteshell Provincial Park are trying to get back to normal weeks after receiving evacuation orders amid record floods in the region. The high water in the eastern Manitoba park caused major damages, resulting in lost revenue for businesses already affected by a wet spring and delayed summer. D.J. Seales, owner of the Barrier Bay resort and president of the North Whiteshell Business Association, says the last few weeks of closures could cost surrounding businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair.

Volunteer quits in disgust over $5 bottled water at 'Rock the Park,' calling it 'gouging' Social Sharing

Volunteer quits in disgust over $5 bottled water at 'Rock the Park,' calling it 'gouging' Social Sharing

A 72-year-old volunteer with the "Rock the Park" music festival says she quit in disgust after learning the only source of water at the July concert series in London's Harris Park would be bottled water sold at $5 apiece, a practice she says is akin to gouging people for their basic human rights. The four-day music festival will take place from July 13 to 17 in Harris Park this year. It comes after after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets are $90 and this year's show features big name acts such as Alanis Morrisette, Garbage and the Crash Test Dummies, among others.

Lebret and Star Blanket Cree Nation to receive ‘Water Award’ to protect Qu’Appelle river system

Lebret and Star Blanket Cree Nation to receive ‘Water Award’ to protect Qu’Appelle river system

Two communities will be awarded as they work together to protect water in the Qu’Appelle River System. The Village of Lebret and Star Blanket Cree Nation have been chosen to receive a Calling Lakes Ecomuseum ‘Water Award’. “The Village of Lebret was pleased to partner with Star Blanket Cree Nation on this wastewater project,” stated Ralph Blondeau, Lebret Mayor in a media release.

B.C. minister Josie Osborne faces conflict-of-interest allegations

B.C. minister Josie Osborne faces conflict-of-interest allegations

Land, Water and Resource Stewardship Minister Josie Osborne is facing conflict-of- interest allegations after she approved a $15 million grant to the non-profit group that purchased her husband’s investment property. Osborne in April awarded a $15 million stewardship fund to the MakeWay Charitable Society, formerly known as Tides Canada, to co-ordinate watershed restoration projects led or co-led by First Nations. Osborne’s husband, George Patterson, sold the Tofino Botanical Gardens to the MakeWay Charitable Society for $2.3 million on Sept. 17, 2021, according to land title documents. The 12.128 acre waterfront property on the Pacific Rim Highway was initially listed for $3.75 million. The B.C. Liberals have asked conflict-of-interest commissioner Victoria Gray to look into whether there’s any conflict.

Researchers measure atmospheric water vapor using open-air spectroscopy

Researchers measure atmospheric water vapor using open-air spectroscopy

Researchers have shown that a new mid-infrared spectrometer can precisely measure the ratios of different forms of water — known as isotopologues — in atmospheric water vapor through open air in a little over 15 minutes. Isotopologue ratios, which can be affected by land-based water evaporation and plant transpiration, are used to develop models of climate change and to understand how water is transported globally in the atmosphere.

Indigenous Life and one of the Largest Freshwater Lakes in the World

Indigenous Life and one of the Largest Freshwater Lakes in the World

Filmmaker Kevin Settee's four-part documentary series is an ode to one of the world's largest freshwater lakes and the people and communities who care for it. The series profiles the resilience and ingenuity of four Indigenous communities: Matheson Island, Poplar River First Nation, Fisher River Cree Nation and Camp Morningstar. Using an "own voices" approach, Settee connects with people who are responding to various external challenges such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and industrial encroachment.

Tsiigehtchic ferry fully reopens as water levels subside and N.W.T. gov't takes the reins again

Tsiigehtchic ferry fully reopens as water levels subside and N.W.T. gov't takes the reins again

On June 23, the N.W.T government was officially approved by the Gwich'in Land and Water Board to operate the Tsiigehtchic ferry landing, after its previous licence expired in November. The department said the timing of the licence approval wasn't responsible for the delay in the ferry's opening — that was caused by high water levels. The average opening date for the ferry over the last 15 years has been May 30. This year, it was open on and off from June 13 until June 21, and has remained open since then, according to the Department of Infrastructure's Twitter account. Lawrence Norbert of Tsiigehtchic told CBC News in mid-June that he and other residents were getting concerned when the ferry connecting the hamlet to other communities had still not opened. Their fears were around access to medical supplies and services.

Knowledge Basket shares database of Indigenous information to care for lands and water

Knowledge Basket shares database of Indigenous information to care for lands and water

The Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership has officially launched a new initiative titled the Knowledge Basket. It will provide resources to communities and officials involved with Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). These are lands and waters where Indigenous governments have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems. “Indigenous governments are at the forefront of protecting the largest, healthiest and most biodiverse areas across Canada,” said Steven Nitah, a core member of the Indigenous Circle of experts who helped develop the Knowledge Basket database.

Michigan court kills Flint water charges against ex-governor, others

Michigan court kills Flint water charges against ex-governor, others

Charges against former Gov. Rick Snyder and others in the Flint water scandal must be dismissed after the Michigan Supreme Court said Tuesday that a judge had no power to issue indictments under a century-old, rarely used law. It’s an astonishing defeat for Attorney General Dana Nessel, who took office in 2019, got rid of a special prosecutor and put together a new team to investigate whether crimes were committed when lead contaminated Flint’s water system in 2014-15. State laws “authorize a judge to investigate, subpoena witnesses, and issue arrest warrants” as a one-person grand jury, the Supreme Court said. “But they do not authorize the judge to issue indictments,” the court said in a 6-0 opinion written by Chief Justice Bridget McCormack.

Canada, New Brunswick and Fredericton invest in essential water and wastewater infrastructure

Canada, New Brunswick and Fredericton invest in essential water and wastewater infrastructure

Fredericton, New Brunswick, June 28, 2022 - Today, Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Jill Green, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; and Her Worship Kate Rogers, Mayor of Fredericton, announced funding for two projects focused on rehabilitating water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure within Fredericton.

These invasive jellyfish are the size of a thumbnail — and they're making a new home in B.C.

These invasive jellyfish are the size of a thumbnail — and they're making a new home in B.C.

The next time you dip your toes into a lake in British Columbia, you might want to take a closer look at the water. That's because an invasive species of jellyfish believed to be native to southeast China, Craspedacusta sowerbii, is making a new home for itself in B.C.'s freshwaters. "We know they are there. We know they are potentially widespread. But before we go a step further, we need to know what they do and then we can talk about that," said Florian Lüskow, a University of British Columbia PhD candidate and researcher.

​Some Saskatoon homeowners clean up after torrential rain; others spared by new dry pond

​Some Saskatoon homeowners clean up after torrential rain; others spared by new dry pond

Pius Gartner says he had to take off his shoes and pants so he could enter his home without getting them soaked last Monday. His corner-lot property became waterfront temporarily when parts of Saskatoon were pummelled by torrential rain. "Every time it rains heavy this corner floods, but this time it was 14 inches above my back door, so she was tough to hold back the water," he said, noting the water poured in through his basement windows and clothes-dryer vent.

Strong winds, high water levels lead to flooding along western shores of Lake Winnipeg

Strong winds, high water levels lead to flooding along western shores of Lake Winnipeg

People living in and around Gimli, Man. are cleaning up after high lake levels and heavy winds caused flooding along the western shores of Lake Winnipeg. The situation sent waves crashing onto lakefront properties and swamped some popular destinations over the weekend, prompting calls for a better warning system to respond to similar situations in the future.

A Thunder Bay summer mystery: Who - or what - drained Boulevard Lake?

A Thunder Bay summer mystery: Who - or what - drained Boulevard Lake?

The City of Thunder Bay is investigating what exactly caused the opening of the Boulevard Lake dam on Sunday night, draining the north-side lake. The lake levels were reported as normal at 10 p.m. Sunday, according to city engineering and operations director Kayla Dixon, who spoke at a media conference held at the lake on Monday afternoon. However, at some point after that, 11 of the dam's 12 gates were opened, mostly draining the lake overnight. The city was notified of the low water levels at about 7 a.m. Monday, but officials don't yet know exactly why the dam was opened.

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