The Williston Reservoir in Prince George, British Columbia, is known for its breathtaking beauty, but beneath the surface, it faces a problem that requires diligent management. The reservoir, created by the construction of the W. A. C. Bennett dam, is home to an abundance of floating woody debris, which threatens the health of the ecosystem.

However, thanks to the efforts of Chu Cho Industries, the situation is improving. The company has been managing the debris along the shores of the Williston Reservoir for years now, and the results are visible. In 2022, there was significantly less debris than there was in 1982, and the company is committed to continuing this trend.

To maintain this progress, Chu Cho Industries conducts a yearly debris survey along the shores of the reservoir. The survey is meant to identify the concentration of debris from the previous year and to develop a management plan for the upcoming year. During the survey, the team stops at various points along the reservoir to collect data and make observations.

The abundance of woody debris in the Williston Reservoir is a result of the flooding of the rivers in the valley bottoms during the construction of the dam. In the 1960s, efforts were made to remove the trees from the area before the dam was built, but those efforts fell short. Today, Chu Cho Industries uses excavators and other heavy machinery to remove the debris from the shore and to keep the ecosystem healthy.

Unfortunately, despite modern technology, the debris still has to be burned, which is not ideal. The surface area of the Williston Reservoir is over 1700 square kilometers, which means that there is a lot of debris to manage.

The crews at Chu Cho Industries take their measurements and create an operational work plan at the end of the yearly debris survey. The plan is used to determine where and when to operate in the upcoming year. The company is committed to working towards a thriving and healthy ecosystem at the Williston Reservoir, and the debris management program is a crucial part of that effort.

For a deeper look at the story of the Williston Reservoir, viewers are encouraged to watch "The Scattering of Man," a documentary by the Tsay Keh Dene Nation. The documentary provides a unique perspective on the reservoir and the challenges it faces.