The mystery behind an island that appeared, then disappeared (2026)

This image shows what we believe to be a floating island drifting on a south-to-north trajectory across Williston Lake. It was taken in the summer of 2026.

Williston Lake is an artificial lake that was created in 1968 on the Peace River, in its section located in British Columbia. It is the result of a constriction of this river during the construction of W.A.C. Bennett hydroelectric dam, its area is about 1721 km2. 

In 2012, when the reservoir was heavily filled, floating trees would have agglomerated, to form an informal cluster that was deposited in a place in the south of the lake, to form an island. Over the years, nature having done its work, the piles of trees deposited had created other trees. Those that will allow the vegetation of the island to regenerate itself. 

In 2026, the level of the lake reached that of the lake in 2012. The island broke out again, drifting northwards, like a ghost. So exceptional that most sailors on the lake could not believe their eyes when they saw the floating island. When the information was reported on social networks, it was described as a farce created by AI.  

However, the dam being the responsibility of BC Hydro, with whom Arctus has a service contract, we were therefore mandated by them, to evaluate the possibility of observing this phenomenon, the objective was to confirm and demonstrate the existence of this floating island through satellite images. 

Our Earth Observation Specialist, Mr. Stephane Hardy, was able to find the original location of the floating island, one of his locations during his journey of more or less 30 days, as well as its final beaching point, which is located further north of Lake Williston. 

For more information: https://urls.fr/OhP5a3