Full Breakdown
Mysterious Floating Island Appears then Vanishes in British Columbia Reservoir
9/1/2026, 2:28:57 AM
Island Emergence and Size
In early August 2026, a large, tree-covered landmass was observed floating on the Williston Reservoir in northern British Columbia, north of Mackenzie. Local boater Rocky Avery captured photos and video that quickly spread online. The island was estimated to be roughly 230 feet wide and 460 feet long, covering an area of about 105,000 square feet—approximately the size of two NFL football fields.
Satellite Confirmation and Disappearance
BC Hydro officials used satellite imagery to verify the island’s presence. Imagery dated July 20 showed the floating mass in the main body of the reservoir west of Finlay Bay, about 60 miles west of the WAC Bennett Dam. A second image from July 21 confirmed the same. By the first week of August, updated satellite snapshots no longer displayed the island, leading the utility to note that it had “disappeared now.” The agency said the disappearance does not necessarily mean the island sank; it may have drifted to a more sheltered shoreline area.
Proposed Formation and Current Status
Spokesman Bob Gammer explained that the island likely formed over several years as driftwood accumulated along the reservoir’s shoreline, allowing plants and trees to take root in the decaying wood. Unusually high water levels this year—driven by record winter snowpacks and steady summer rain—may have caused the mass to break free from the shore and float. Avery added that the high water has also washed out shoreline sand dunes, exposing new areas to boat traffic. BC Hydro is monitoring the reservoir but does not anticipate operational problems.
Official Statements & Responses
Bob Gammer, BC Hydro spokesman, expressed initial skepticism, noting that advances in generative AI make it hard to verify online images. He also remarked that the reservoir has not been full in 14 years, underscoring the unusual water conditions that may have contributed to the island’s emergence.
Conflicting Measurements & Gaps
Two sources reported slightly different size estimates: the New York Post cited an area of roughly 105,000 square feet, while United Press International gave a more precise figure of 105,486 square feet. No definitive explanation for the discrepancy has been provided, and the ultimate fate of the island—whether it sank, lodged on the shore, or disintegrated—remains unconfirmed.
