The project involves the restoration of nearly 520 hectares of wetlands that were disconnected from the surrounding river system in the 1960s by a series of ditches, dikes, pumps and drains. [...] "It may be our grandkids that benefit from it,"he said of the restoration of nearly 520 hectares of wetlands that was disconnected from the surrounding river system in the 1960s by a series of ditches, dikes, pumps and drains. [...] Historically low water 2023-12-21, 10:30 AM Page 4 of 7 flows killed hundreds of salmon in the Cowichan River last summer, while the province issued several orders restricting irrigation of forage crops, and ranchers in the Interior resorted to selling livestock as they grappled with a shortage of feed. [...] Brandes describes wildfires, floods, drought and contamination as "the four horsemen of the water apocalypse." The linkages between themare clear after more than a century of industrial and urban development in the province, he said. [...] "Then we don't have the supplemental rains throughout the summer that use to occur to help replenish these areas." Allard likened reopening the floodplain to "popping holes in a garden hose." The restoration work is taking pressure off the river system, reducing the risks of flooding and erosion while helping the landscape stay hydrated over the summer.
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- Canada
