Mysterious Floating Island Spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake, Boaters Warned to Stay Away

A mysterious floating island spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake has prompted authorities to issue a warning to boaters.

According to BC Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer, the floating island is about one hectare in size and is covered entirely with trees and lush vegetation. It was first spotted by satellite in mid-August but later suddenly disappeared.

The island was spotted again on Monday, and appears to have travelled about 30 kilometres from its previous location over the past two weeks.

Gammer believes the formation is not solid land, but rather a highly unstable mass of tree roots, logs and decaying debris that may have broken away from the shoreline. He said it could have become detached as the lake recently reached full capacity for the first time since 2012.

BC Hydro is warning boaters not to approach the floating island or attempt to land on it because of its unstable nature.