Global TV in British Columbia led off its 6:00 p.m. news today with a story about unusually high water temperatures in the Fraser River threatening salmon runs of millions of fish.
Researchers are already finding dying salmon. They cannot cope with the stress imposed by temperatures reaching 21 and 22C in Fraser tributaries, and are succumbing to diseases and parasites that they would normally shake off.
This could have a major economic and environmental impact.
I've been seeing water temperatures of up to 20C in Byrne Creek, where I volunteer with a streamkeeper group. We've had hot periods with no rain for periods of up to three or nearly four weeks this summer.