A forested island in Williston Reservoir, initially spotted in July, has been relocated near the shore after temporarily vanishing from satellite view.
Key facts
- •The island is estimated to be 9,800 square meters, or approximately one hectare.
- •It was located 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from its initial position via satellite imagery and pilot reports.
- •BC Hydro believes the island formed from accumulated driftwood and detached due to high water levels.
- •Officials have warned against attempting to land on the island due to its instability.
- •Similar floating bogs exist elsewhere, such as the Forty Acre Bog in Wisconsin's Lake Chippewa.
A small, forested island in British Columbia's Williston Reservoir has been located near the shore after officials lost track of its position. The island, which measures approximately 1.5 American football fields in size, was first confirmed by satellite imagery in late July before disappearing from view in early August. BC Hydro officials have now confirmed its new location about 30 kilometers from its original spot.
By the numbers
Discovery and Disappearance
The island was first brought to public attention in early August when boaters shared a video of the forested patch of land appearing to float in the reservoir. BC Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer initially suspected the footage was AI-generated, but his team confirmed the island's existence using satellite imagery from July 21. When a subsequent satellite image from August 5 showed the island had vanished, its disappearance drew international attention.
Origins and Safety Warnings
BC Hydro officials believe the island likely formed over years through the accumulation of driftwood, which eventually supported the growth of plants and trees. They suspect the structure broke away from the shoreline this summer as water levels reached their highest point since 2012. Officials have advised the public to stay off the island, warning that it is not a stable structure and could break apart.
Timeline
- 21 JulyA satellite image confirmed the existence of the island in the middle of the reservoir.
- Early AugustBoaters captured video of the island, which subsequently went viral.
- 5 AugustA satellite image showed the island had vanished from its original position.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Science & Environment.
