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Mysterious island appears and disappears in British Columbia reservoir
B.C. Hydro said the tree-covered mass may have formed over years and could still be drifting in sheltered shoreline waters.
Locals spotted a massive, tree-covered island in British Columbia's Williston Reservoir earlier this month, covering over 105,000 square feet and appearing to emerge mysteriously from open water.
Heavy mountain snowpack and steady rain brought the reservoir to full capacity for the first time in 14 years, lifting accumulated debris from the shore as water rose into previously dry areas.
Satellite images from July 21 captured the patch measuring about 140 meters long and 70 meters wide, nearly 9,800 square meters close to the size of two NFL football fields.
Although the object vanished from satellite view by August 5, B.C. Hydro spokesman Bob Gammer said it likely returned to a sheltered shoreline area; a resident spotted it again on Sunday, Aug. 30, near Peace Reach.
Officials do not expect the mass to affect energy operations, though floating debris poses navigation hazards for boaters. B.C. Hydro continues annual aerial surveys to identify and remove such material from the waterway.