Toxic Impact of Mount Polley Disaster Still Affects B.C. Waters
A decade after the Mount Polley disaster, toxic effects linger in B.C. waters, raising concerns for local ecosystems and communities.
Mount Polley, British Columbia, Quesnel Lake, Environmental Impact, Toxicity, Salmon
Williams Lake: Remember the Mount Polley disaster? It’s been ten years, but the effects are still hanging around. Former Xatsull First Nation chief Bev Sellars often thinks back to that emergency meeting. Elders were in tears, worried about the fish swimming through toxic waste in their waters.
On August 4, 2014, a tailings dam collapsed, sending 25 million cubic meters of contaminated water into Polley and Quesnel lakes. The aftermath is still being felt, with legal actions now underway against the companies involved.
Scientists are still concerned about the toxic particles in Quesnel Lake. Research shows that tiny creatures at the base of the food chain are still dealing with elevated metal levels from the spill. Greg Pyle, an eco-toxicologist, has been studying this for years. He found that the contamination is still affecting freshwater invertebrates, which are crucial for the fish population.
Pyle’s team published findings in 2022, showing that these little critters are more toxic near the disaster site compared to cleaner areas. He’s worried about how this might affect fish, especially their sense of smell, which is vital for finding food and mates.
After the disaster, researchers jumped into action to study Quesnel Lake, the deepest fiord lake in the world. They discovered that contaminated sediments didn’t just settle at the bottom; they stirred back up into the water, which was contrary to what the mining company thought.
Despite the disaster, fishing in Quesnel Lake is still thriving. Marita Boxrud, who runs a resort upstream, says fishing has been great. She believes the company did a good job cleaning up and supporting the community after the incident.
Craig Orr, a conservation adviser, is still concerned about the long-term effects on salmon runs. He recalls the disaster as a significant blow to the local ecosystem. The B.C. government had promised to work with First Nations to address mining regulations, but Sellars feels that not much has changed in ten years.
She emphasizes the need for a healthy environment to support a healthy economy. If we don’t take care of our waters, it’ll catch up to us eventually. This situation is a reminder that we need to be vigilant about our natural resources.