British Columbia: A massive landslide blocking the Chilcotin River in British Columbia could put sockeye and chinook salmon at even greater risk. The debris, 30 meters high and 600 meters long, is obstructing the river and creating uncertainty about how it will affect the salmon populations.
Scott Hinch, an expert from the University of British Columbia, says the situation is worsened by unusually warm river temperatures. The sockeye salmon, which need to reach Chilko Lake to spawn, are already stressed by high water temperatures and reduced flow.
Chief Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation is concerned about the impact on the fish if the water behind the landslide breaks free, which could lead to further damage and blockages in the river systems.
The B.C. government warns that the landslide could lead to significant flooding and require emergency evacuations if the water behind the debris is released.