SWC in the News

Media Releases

February 23, 2021

Shuswap Watershed Council launches second year of water quality grants

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is inviting applications to its Water Quality Grant Program, for the second year running. Read more.

January 6, 2021

New video describes local farms' partnerships with Shuswap Watershed Council

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has just released a short video describing how four local farms are reducing their impact on the environment with the assistance of SWC’s Water Quality Grant Program. Read more.

October 13, 2020

Shuswap Watershed Council declares algal bloom over; offers presentations on water quality

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has confirmed that the algal bloom that affected Shuswap Lake at Salmon Arm Bay, Tappen Bay, Canoe, and Herald this summer has ended. Read more.

August 14, 2020

Information on Algae Blooms

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is providing an updated explanation on the large algal bloom occurring in Salmon Arm Bay. Just last week, the SWC released the 2019 Shuswap Water Quality Report. Read more.

August 10, 2020

Shuswap Watershed Council Releases 2019 Water Quality Report

The Shuswap Watershed Council has just released a summary report about recent water quality monitoring throughout the watershed. Read more.

July 22, 2020

Shuswap Watershed Council awarding five grants for water quality improvement

The Shuswap Watershed Council is awarding five grants this year to help farm businesses in the Shuswap watershed improve nutrient management, and ultimately protect water quality by reducing nutrient-loading to creeks and rivers. Read more.

May 8, 2020

Shuswap organizations urge boaters to be diligent about Clean-Drain-Dry, watercraft inspection

Boating season is here! With the arrival of warm weather in the Shuswap, many of us are now thinking about lake cruises, paddling, fishing, and tow sports. For two Shuswap-based organizations, boating season means it’s time to turn up the heat on invasive Zebra and Quagga mussel prevention. Read more.

February 20, 2020

Shuswap Watershed Council releases new report on nutrients and water quality, launches new water quality grant program

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has just released a new report summarizing the results of a three-year study done in partnership with scientists at UBC – Okanagan. Read more.

December 20, 2019

Shuswap Watershed Council and Okanagan Basin Water Board pen joint letter to new Fisheries Minister, calling for action on Invasive Mussels

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) and Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB), two watershed organizations based in the Interior region of B.C., have sent a letter to the new federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Hon. Bernadette Jordan, to express their ongoing concern about the threat of aquatic invasive
Zebra and Quagga mussels and call for more action from the federal government. Media release | Letter to the Minister

July 30, 2019

Shuswap Watershed Council releases 2018 water quality report

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has released a report about recent water quality monitoring throughout the Shuswap watershed. Read more.

June 26, 2019

Staying safe on the water this summer

It’s summer in the Shuswap! It’s time for boating, swimming, and paddling. The Shuswap Watershed Council is reminding everyone on the lakes and rivers to play safe and be
prepared for every outing on the water. Read more.

May 15th, 2019

Shuswap organizations urge boaters and fishers to Clean, Drain, Dry and stop at watercraft inspection stations

The May long weekend is upon us. For many in the Shuswap, that means our attention turns to the lakes and rivers, and a plethora of water-based activities including boating, fishing, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Read more.

January 23, 2019

Shuswap Watershed Council wants community representatives to join the Council

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is inviting residents of the Shuswap to apply to become a community representative of the Council. Up to three representative seats are available, each for a three-year term beginning in April 2019. Read more.

October 2, 2018

Shuswap Watershed Council will continue; hears update on multi-year water quality research project

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) will continue its work on water quality, safe recreation and Zebra and Quagga Mussels – that’s the result of a recommendation and subsequent approval at the most recent SWC meeting in September. Read more.

July 10, 2018

Shuswap Watershed Council releases new water quality report

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has released a report covering the results of recent water quality monitoring throughout the Shuswap watershed. Read more.

June 27, 2018

Working Together to Keep Invasive Mussels out of the Shuswap

Representatives of watershed and invasive species organizations, along with concerned citizens, met on Wednesday in Sicamous to discuss and learn more about the threat that zebra and quagga mussels pose to the Shuswap. Read more.

May 24, 2018

Play it safe on the water this summer

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is reminding everyone on the lakes and rivers this summer to play it safe, and be prepared for every outing on the water ... Read more.

May 16, 2018

Shuswap organizations urge boaters and fishers to Clean, Drain, Dry and stop at watercraft inspection stations

The May long weekend is upon us. For many in the Shuswap, that means our attention turns to the lakes and rivers, and a plethora of water-based activities: boating, canoeing, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding ... Read more.

May 4, 2018

Shuswap Watershed Council Keen to Work with Local Agriculture

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) wants to have clean water and a thriving agriculture industry ... Read more.

Photo Link | Caption: Henry Bremer, Chair of Kamloops Okanagan Dairy Association, and Ralph Vandalfsen, owner/operator of Trinity Valley Dairy Farm, speak during a dairy tour held at Vandalfsen’s farm on April 5

January 18, 2018

Shuswap Watershed Council contributes to Agricultural Waste review

The Provincial Agricultural Waste Control Regulation (AWCR) is undergoing review and revisions, and the Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has contributed to the review process. Read more.

December 14, 2017

Shuswap Watershed Council’s monitoring project shows good results

A special water quality monitoring project undertaken by the Shuswap Watershed Council has wrapped up, and the results are good – that’s the message that Council members heard at their meeting in Salmon Arm on Wednesday. Read more.

June 8, 2017 (Updated June 15, 2017)

Algae, pollen, and large debris in Shuswap Lake

Reports of algae in the Canoe area of Shuswap Lake this morning are currently under investigation. Read more.

May 24, 2017

Boaters advised to watch for debris and go slowly near shorelines

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is reminding boaters to use extra caution while lake levels and rivers are high. Read more.

June 24, 2016

Stay safe on the water this summer

It’s summer in the Shuswap! It’s a time for relaxation, enjoying the lake views, boating, floating, and swimming. The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is reminding everyone on the lakes and rivers this summer to play it safe, and be prepared for every outing on the water. Read more.

January 4, 2016

Shuswap Watershed Council seeks community representatives

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is seeking up to three community representatives to join the Council membership in 2016, for up to three-year terms.  Read more.