A large, tree-covered landmass briefly emerged in British Columbia’s Williston Reservoir before vanishing from sight within weeks, according to BC Hydro.

Spotted earlier this month in the man-made lake north of Mackenzie, the floating island was confirmed by satellite imagery on 21 July. The landmass was located in the main body of the reservoir west of Finlay Bay, approximately 60 miles west of the WAC Bennett Dam. It was estimated to be roughly 230 feet wide and 460 feet long, covering about 105,000 square feet.

By 5 August, the object had disappeared from satellite imagery. Bob Gammer, a spokesman for the government-owned utility company BC Hydro, stated:

“We’ve been taking more updated snapshots and we can’t see the object anymore. So it’s disappeared now. It doesn’t mean it’s gone to the bottom of the reservoir. It may have returned to a more sheltered area along the shoreline.”

Officials suggested the island may have formed from driftwood that accumulated along the shoreline over several years, with plants and trees taking root in the decomposing debris. The reservoir has been unusually full this year due to high winter snowpacks and steady summer rain, leading BC Hydro to open the WAC Bennett Dam’s spillways in June and July.

Local resident Rocky Avery noted that the high water levels have washed out shoreline sand dunes and dragged more trees and debris into the reservoir than usual. BC Hydro is monitoring the reservoir but does not expect the island to cause operational problems.