SWC in the News

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Media Releases

December 1, 2024

Shuswap Watershed Council opens Water Quality Grant Program for applications

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is inviting another round of applications to its Water Quality Grant Program, beginning December 1. Read more.

August 7, 2024

Shuswap Watershed Council releases 2023-24 Water Quality Summary Report

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has published its newest report summarizing water quality data
and information about the Shuswap watershed. Read more.

May 27, 2024

Royal Roads University student conducting research on the Salmon River, has support from Shuswap Watershed Council

A Master’s student from Royal Roads University is studying the water quality in the Salmon River, and how constructed "floating treatment wetlands" (FTWs) may help to preserve and improve water quality in the river. Read more.

May 7, 2024

Shuswap Watershed Council awarding grants for water quality protection

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is announcing grant funding for projects that protect and improve water quality in the Shuswap watershed. Read more.

April 30, 2024

Prevent aquatic invasive species with these steps: Clean-Drain-Dry and stop for watercraft inspection

Spring in the Shuswap has many thinking about boating, paddling, and fishing.The month of May is designated as Invasive Species Action Month — a timely reminder for boaters and watercraft users to be vigilant and take steps to prevent the movement of aquatic invasive species into or around the Shuswap. Read more.

February 22, 2024

Shuswap Watershed Council urging federal government to provide more funding for watercraft inspection to prevent spread of invasive mussels

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is not satisfied with a recent announcement from the Federal Government regarding investments for invasive Zebra and Quagga mussel prevention in the west. Read more.

December 20, 2023

More funding available from Shuswap Watershed Council for water quality protection; informative webinar offered in January

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has allocated more funding to its Water Quality Grant Program to help farms and landowners protect and improve water quality. Read more.

December 1, 2023

Shuswap Watershed Council opens Water Quality Grant Program for applications

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is inviting another round of applications to its Water Quality Grant Program, beginning December 1. Read more

November 2, 2023

Shuswap watershed groups warn of recent Zebra and Quagga Mussel discoveries, call upon Province for more action to prevent spread to BC

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) and the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) are raising the alarm about recent discoveries of invasive Zebra and Quagga mussels. Quagga mussels have been detected in the Snake River at Twin Falls, Idaho. Read more.

October 11, 2023

Shuswap Watershed Council releases updated report on nutrients and water quality and announces grant program opening in December

The Shuswap Watershed Council has released an update to a report it originally published in 2020 summarizing the results of a multi-year water quality research partnership with UBC Okanagan. Read more.

July 10, 2023

Thompson Rivers University researching glaciers in the Adams River basin, has support from Shuswap Watershed Council

A research team from Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops is studying glaciers in the headwaters of the Adams River. Read more.

June 28 2023

Shuswap Watershed Council releases 2022 Water Quality Summary Report

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has just released a report summarizing water quality data and information about the Shuswap watershed. This is the seventh annual report on water quality from the SWC. Read more.

June 9, 2023

Shuswap watershed groups warn of economic impacts of potential Zebra and Quagga Mussel infestation, emphasize importance of prevention measures

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) and the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) are raising the alarm about new information released in a report from the Province of BC. The report, published at the end of May, summarizes the potential costs to British Columbia if invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels (ZQM) were to arrive in BC waters. Read more.

Potential Economic Impact of Zebra and Quagga Mussels in B.C

May 3, 2023

Prevent aquatic invasive species with these steps: Clean-Drain-Dry and stop for watercraft inspection

Spring in the Shuswap has many thinking about boating, paddling and fishing. The month of May is designated as Invasive Species Action Month, and here in the Shuswap that means it’s time to focus on aquatic invasive species prevention. The increased movement of boats and watercraft into and around the Shuswap means there’s an increased risk of moving aquatic invasive species. Read more.

April 13, 2023

Shuswap Watershed Council awarding five grants for water quality improvement

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has announced grant funding for projects that protect and improve water quality in the Shuswap watershed. Read more.

 March 17, 2023

Shuswap Watershed Council receives reply letter from Minister of Environment regarding algal bloom, new commitments made for monitoring and action

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has received a reply directly from Hon. George Heyman, provincial Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. The SWC originally wrote to Minister Heyman in October to relay their concerns about persistent algal blooms that occurred in Salmon Arm Bay in 2022 and in 2020. Read more.

December 1, 2022

Shuswap Watershed Council launches fourth intake to Water Quality Grant Program

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is inviting another round of applications to its Water Quality Grant Program, beginning December 1st. Read more.

October 19, 2022

Shuswap Watershed Council calls for more action from Province on algal blooms

The Shuswap Watershed Council has written a letter to George Heyman, Provincial Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, calling for more action and intervention from the Province to prevent future algal blooms in Shuswap Lake.  Read more.

October 12, 2022

Shuswap Watershed Council publishes Phosphorus Action Plan

The Shuswap Watershed Council has just published a new document to encourage residents in the Shuswap to take steps that will protect water quality. The Phosphorus Action Plan provides guidance to everyone living and/or working in the Shuswap about how to reduce the amount of phosphorus being released into the watershed.

Read the media release | Read the Phosphorus Action Plan

August 17, 2022

Information about algal bloom, many ways for residents to help protect water quality

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is providing further information in response to inquiries about the algal bloom occurring in the Salmon Arm portion of Shuswap Lake. As of August 16, Interior Health has issued a Cautionary Advisory due to the algal bloom for that part of the lake, including Salmon Arm Wharf, Tappen Bay, Sunnybrae, Herald Provincial Park and Canoe Beach. Read more.

June 18, 2022

Shuswap Watershed Council releases 2021 water quality summary report

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

June 13, 2022

Shuswap Watershed Council awarding two grants for water quality improvement

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has announced grant funding for projects that protect and improve water quality in the Shuswap watershed. Read more.

June 4, 2022

Shuswap organizations issue reminders for safe boating and water play

Water Safety Week is June 4–11

June 4th marks the start of the annual Water Safety Week in Canada, and the Shuswap Watershed  Council (SWC) and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 106 Shuswap (RCMSAR) are reminding everyone on the lakes and rivers to play safe and be prepared for every outing on the water. Read more.

May 18, 2022

Use a lifejacket — it could save your life

Improper use of lifejackets is a factor in 87% of boating fatalities

May 19th is National Lifejacket Day, an annual campaign to encourage and promote the use of lifejackets and PFDs among boaters and water recreationists. It comes at an opportune time with May long weekend upon us, and many Shuswap residents thinking about getting out on the water for the first time this season. Read more.

May 1, 2022

Editorial: Prevent aquatic invasive species with these steps: Clean-Drain-Dry and stop for watercraft inspection

Spring in the Shuswap has many thinking about lake cruises, paddling, fishing and tow sports. But May is also Invasive Species Action Month, and here in the Shuswap that means it’s time to focus on aquatic invasive species prevention. The increased movement of boats and other watercraft into and around the Shuswap means there’s an increased risk of moving aquatic invasive species. Read more.

March 14, 2022

New Chair of Shuswap Watershed Council will continue work on water quality and aquatic invasive species

Jay Simpson has succeeded Paul Demenok as the Chair of the Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC). Simpson, the Area Director for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area F - North Shuswap, was acclaimed as Chair of the SWC for 2022 at their regular meeting on March 9. Read more.

January 18, 2022

Shuswap Watershed Council pens joint letter to federal Fisheries Minister about aquatic invasive mussels

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC), Shuswap Waterfront Owners Association (SWOA), and Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) sent a letter recently to Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. Read more.

January 15, 2022

Shuswap Watershed Council seeking Community Representatives

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is inviting residents of the Shuswap to join the SWC membership as a Community Representative. Up to four positions are available, for up to three-year terms, beginning in April 2022. Read more.

November 15, 2021

Shuswap Watershed Council launches third intake to Water Quality Grant Program

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is inviting another round of applications to its Water Quality Grant Program. Read more.

August 2, 2021

Shuswap Watershed Council releases 2020 water quality summary report

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

June 24, 2021

Shuswap water quality monitors prepared to respond to algae blooms

Several water quality monitoring organizations are ready and willing to respond to an algae bloom in the Shuswap watershed this summer, if the need arises. The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) recently facilitated the development of a regional algae bloom response plan for the Shuswap watershed. The plan complements and builds upon a provincial protocol for cyanobacteria response. Read more.

June 8, 2021

Shuswap organizations issue reminders for safe boating and water play

June 5th marks the start of the Annual Water Safety Week in Canada, and the Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) and Royal Canadian Marine Search And Rescue Station 106 Shuswap (RCMSAR) are reminding everyone on the lakes and rivers to play safe and be prepared for every outing on the water. Read more.

May 14, 2021

Lifejackets save lives

Improper use of lifejackets is a factor in 87% of boating fatalities.

May 20th is National Lifejacket Day, an annual campaign to encourage and promote the use of lifejackets and PFDs among boaters. It comes at an opportune time with May long weekend upon us, and many Shuswap residents thinking about getting out on the water for the first time this season. Read more.

May 4, 2021

Invasive Species Action Month is a timely reminder that boaters and watercraft users must Clean-Drain-Dry, stop for watercraft inspection

With the arrival of May and warmer weather in the Shuswap, many of us are now thinking about lake cruises, paddling, fishing, and tow sports. For two Shuswap-based organizations, May is Invasive Species Action Month and that means it’s time to turn up the heat on aquatic invasive species prevention. Read more.

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.

Looking for older releases? Find them in the SWC News Archive.