COMMUNITY

A Massive Floating Island Appeared on Williston Reservoir — Then Mysteriously Vanished

A massive floating island estimated at 9,800 square metres was spotted in B.C.’s Williston Reservoir before vanishing from recent satellite imagery.

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2 weeks ago

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Unusual Discovery in Northern B.C. Reservoir

A massive, tree-covered land mass recently startled local residents and officials after it was spotted floating in the Williston Reservoir north of Mackenzie. Local resident Rocky Avery obtained video and photographic footage of the island captured by a boater, which quickly gained wide attention after he posted the material online.

“It was a pretty amazing sight to see, never seen anything like that in my 40 years in this country,” said Avery, who shared the footage ahead of a local fishing derby to alert both boaters and utility officials.

Satellite Imagery Confirms Floating Mass

The report initially drew skepticism from B.C. Hydro, given the prevalence of AI-generated content online. “It’s certainly something we’ve not heard of before,” said spokesperson Bob Gammer. “And with not very many people reporting it, it was difficult to locate.”

However, satellite photos taken July 21 verified the object’s existence in the main body of the reservoir, roughly 100 kilometres west of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and west of Finlay Bay. Measurements indicated the island spanned approximately 70 metres by 140 metres, covering roughly 9,800 square metres—an area comparable to two NFL football fields.

Vanishing Act and Possible Cause

By Aug. 5, updated satellite images revealed that the land mass had disappeared from view. “We’ve been taking more updated snapshots and we can’t see the object anymore. So it’s disappeared now,” Gammer stated. “It doesn’t mean it’s gone to the bottom of the reservoir. It may have returned to a more sheltered area along the shoreline.”

High snowpacks during the winter alongside steady summer rainfall filled the man-made lake—the seventh-largest reservoir globally—to capacity, prompting B.C. Hydro to open spillways at the dam in June and July. Gammer explained that accumulated driftwood over many years likely allowed trees and plants to root along the shore, and high water levels finally detached the mass. “We haven’t had a full reservoir in 14 years,” Gammer noted. “We can’t pinpoint the origin of this floating island [but that’s] one explanation that seems reasonable.”

Local Impacts and Safety Concerns

The record water levels have significantly altered the local environment, washing away sand dunes often used for quad-biking and sweeping extra debris into the lake. “There’s areas we would never even drive a boat on before, and now we’re going up over top of it,” Avery said, warning that choppy water makes floating logs difficult to spot. “Some are full-size trees and it’ll do a lot of damage to your boat. So you got to be super careful.”

While rare for Williston Lake, floating islands occur regularly in dam construction worldwide, such as Wisconsin’s Lake Chippewa and Lake Victoria in Africa. B.C. Hydro does not anticipate operational disruptions but will continue monitoring satellite data for any reappearance of the island, relying in part on public reports to track conditions on the vast reservoir.

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COMMUNITY

How You Can Watch and Question Kamloops Candidates Ahead of the October Election

Watch Kamloops mayoral and council candidates answer questions in livestreamed election forums on Sept. 23, followed by a Sept. 24 in-person event.

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7 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Full Day of Virtual Candidate Panels Scheduled

Kamloops residents will be able to evaluate local election candidates on Wednesday, Sept. 23, during an extensive lineup of virtual sessions. The upcoming event is jointly hosted by Castanet Kamloops and the Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce.

The programming opens with three separate councillor discussions running from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Following these, the mayoral candidates will participate in a dedicated forum scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Standardized Questions and Viewing Access

To ensure direct comparisons between contenders running for the same seat, each participant will respond to a uniform set of inquiries. Organizers are gathering these questions from event sponsors, community partners, the Chamber, Castanet, and local voters.

Although members of the public cannot attend in person, organizers are looking into possibilities for local public viewing parties. The sessions will be broadcast live on Castanet, with digital recordings remaining accessible online until voting day on Oct. 17.

“Local elections shape decisions that affect every business in this city, from housing to infrastructure to how we grow,” said Acacia Pangilinan, executive director of the Chamber. “These forums give candidates a real opportunity to speak to those issues, and give our members and the broader community a clear way to hear from everyone running for mayor and council before they vote.”

In-Person Senior-Focused Event Planned

A separate, free public forum will take place the following day on Thursday, Sept. 24. Hosted by incumbent councillor Nancy Bepple, this in-person event is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Mount Paul Community Food Centre, located at 140 Laburnum St.

This second session invites attendees to pose questions directly to candidates regarding matters affecting seniors along with the wider community.

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BC STORIES

Why Canadians and Americans Are Gathering at the Border to Remember 9/11 Together

Hundreds gathered at the B.C.-Washington Peace Arch monument for the 25th 9/11 anniversary to honour first responders and showcase cross-border unity.

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13 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Cross-Border Gathering Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11

About 500 people joined a motorcycle procession as part of the annual Northwest 9/11 Memorial ceremony on Friday morning at the Peace Arch monument along the B.C.-Washington state border. Hundreds of attendees from both Canada and the United States assembled to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, putting aside current political and trade friction between the two countries to pay tribute to first responders and those who lost their lives.

Honouring Sacrifices and Shared Bonds

The memorial service, which commemorates the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers in New York City that killed nearly 3,000 people, featured a helicopter flypast, national anthem performances, and a barbeque alongside the procession. Event co-chair Howard Blank emphasized that the spirit of the event surpasses any ongoing disagreements between the nations, stating that they come together as one when necessary.

First Responders Share Memories

Former New York fire department members were among those participating in the event. Retired paramedic Roberto Abril, who arrived at the scene shortly after 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 11, 2001, reflected on the tragic loss of his work partner, Carlos Lillo, who died in the North Tower. Attending the ceremony for his third time, Abril described the two nations as family who will eventually return to their close bond despite temporary disputes. Former firefighter Cody Stamberger, who joined the search efforts later that day, noted that the ceremony highlights the solidarity between both countries during challenging periods and offers an opportunity to honour the sacrifices made.

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COMMUNITY

New Agreement to Bring Forestry Jobs and Management to Osoyoos Indian Band

The Osoyoos Indian Band and Gorman Group partner through Similkameen Forest Products Ltd. to manage TFL 59, bringing jobs and local planning to the OIB.

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13 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Direct Role in Planning TFL 59

A new partnership between the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and the Gorman Group, signed via Similkameen Forest Products Ltd., ensures the OIB will participate directly in managing Tree Farm Licence 59. Located in the band’s traditional territory east of Oliver, the forest licence area will now involve early-stage planning by Nk’Mip Forestry LLP, the OIB’s forestry company.

Community Benefits and Local Economic Impact

The joint arrangement focuses on keeping local forestry benefits within the community. “This partnership will help create more jobs, specific training opportunities, and longer-term revenue for the Osoyoos Indian Band and our people,” said OIB Chief Clarence Louie. He added that the agreement enables the OIB to build skills and experience for future responsibilities while strengthening its position in the local forest economy.

Balancing Cultural Priorities and Industrial Supply

Nk’Mip will collaborate with Similkameen Forest Products Ltd. to plan proposed harvest sites. Their work will incorporate considerations for wildlife habitat, forest health, water quality, wildfire resilience, and sites of cultural or traditional importance. Norm Druck, South Zone Woodlands Manager for the Gorman Group, emphasized the area’s dual significance, noting that this portion of land represents the cultural heartland of the band—supporting traditional medicines, food, jobs, and spiritual well-being—while also supplying timber for the Gorman Group’s regional manufacturing facilities.

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