Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Floating Island Reappears Then Vanishes Again In Canadian Reservoir
A large patch of trees and land floated around a Canadian reservoir.
It was first confirmed by satellite pictures on July 21.
It disappeared from pictures on August 5, then someone saw it again on August 12.
Rocky Avery said he found it once more on August 30.
The floating patch was almost as big as two football fields.
Experts and local people think it may have broken away from the shoreline.
Roots, old logs, and soil may have held the patch together.
No one has completely confirmed exactly how it formed or where it went each time.
A tree-covered floating landmass was observed several times in British Columbia’s Williston Reservoir.
Satellite imagery confirmed the island on July 21, but it was absent on August 5.
A local resident saw it again on August 12, and Rocky Avery said he spotted it on August 30.
The island measured about 230 by 460 feet, covering roughly 105,000 square feet.
BC Hydro said heavy rain and high snowmelt may have dislodged shoreline material, while other theories point to roots or accumulated logs.
- Who
- BC Hydro, local residents, Rocky Avery, Bob Gammer, and Patrick Tutin were involved in reporting or discussing the floating landmass.
- What
- A tree-covered floating island appeared, disappeared, reappeared, and was reportedly seen again in the reservoir.
- When
- Satellite imagery showed it on July 21; it was absent on August 5, seen again on August 12, and reportedly spotted by Avery on August 30.
- Where
- In British Columbia’s Williston Reservoir, initially west of Finlay Bay and later closer to the reservoir’s eastern Peace Reach.
- Why
- BC Hydro said heavy summer rain and the previous winter’s heavy mountain snowpack may have raised water levels enough to dislodge shoreline material; the exact formation remains unconfirmed.
Natural Root Formation
Accumulated Debris
What held the island together?
Natural Root Formation
Social media users suggested interconnected roots from aspen poplars may have linked the trees and supported the floating landmass.
Accumulated Debris
Other commenters believed the structure was a mass of felled trees and logs that accumulated over time, collected mulch, and developed new saplings.
How did it enter the reservoir?
Natural Root Formation
BC Hydro’s Bob Gammer said it likely broke away from the shoreline after heavy summer rain and high mountain snowpack raised water levels.
Accumulated Debris
The articles also describe the island’s origin as unresolved; no definitive explanation has been publicly confirmed.
- Reservoir
- Williston Reservoir in British Columbia, Canada
- Estimated size
- About 230 feet wide by 460 feet long
- Estimated area
- Approximately 105,000 square feet, nearly two NFL football fields
- Sightings
- Confirmed by satellite on July 21; absent August 5; seen again August 12 and reportedly August 30
- Initial location
- The main reservoir west of Finlay Bay, about 60 miles west of WAC Bennett Dam
- Possible cause
- Heavy rain, high snowpack, and elevated water levels may have dislodged shoreline material
- Public attention
- Rocky Avery’s Facebook post received more than 140,000 views
