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Friday,  July 26 , 2024
Current weather Vancouver, WA

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Photo of Lauren Ellenbecker

Stories by Lauren Ellenbecker

Columbian staff writer

A pedestrian walks in the shadow of a snow-capped Mount Hood Monday afternoon near Vancouver&rsquo;s Wintler Park. New research out of Washington State University Vancouver shows that a decades-old warming trend is undermining the Pacific Northwest&rsquo;s vital snowpack.

Washington State University researchers set out to discover the impact the 2021 heat dome had on snow melt, but what they found revealed an alarming warming trend

A pedestrian walks in the shadow of a snow-capped Mount Hood Monday afternoon near Vancouver&rsquo;s Wintler Park. New research out of Washington State University Vancouver shows that a decades-old warming trend is undermining the Pacific Northwest&rsquo;s vital snowpack.

December 18, 2023, 2:45pm Clark County News

The Pacific Northwest’s mountainous snow, kept frozen in high elevations, was thought to be resilient to bursts of warmth in the springtime. But this durability may be weakening, threatening a key source of the region’s water supply, according to a study released last week. Read story

Clark County Scouts to collect Christmas trees

December 15, 2023, 5:39am Clark County News Free

Although Christmas has yet to arrive and some folks may need decorate, Scouts in Clark County want you to know they will recycle your tree in the new year. Read story

Clark County forms climate group

December 8, 2023, 5:58am Clark County News Free

Clark County is seeking applications for its climate project community advisory group, which will develop policy recommendations for the climate component of Clark County’s growth management plan, a 20-year road map extending through 2045. Participants will meet up to 12 times beginning in early 2024. Recommendations will undergo public, planning… Read story

Lewis River Highway is closed in both directions near Cougar.

Atmospheric river pushes through Clark County, causing flooding, road closures, record temperatures

Lewis River Highway is closed in both directions near Cougar.

December 6, 2023, 8:10pm Clark County News Free

An atmospheric river pushed through the region early this week, causing flooding, road closures and record-breaking temperatures. Read story

A pair walks Monday through Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The protected landscape &mdash; spanning more than a thousand acres &mdash; is roped into the larger Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes the Franz Lake, Pierce and Ridgefield national wildlife refuges.

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge’s reconnection project allows excess water to naturally drain into Columbia River

A pair walks Monday through Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The protected landscape &mdash; spanning more than a thousand acres &mdash; is roped into the larger Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes the Franz Lake, Pierce and Ridgefield national wildlife refuges.

December 5, 2023, 6:51pm Clark County News

As a series of atmospheric rivers pushed through the region, excessive runoff proved the success of one of the largest habitat restoration projects in the lower Columbia River’s history. Read story

The Lower White Salmon Coalition, a collection of local organizations, recently published its 157-page package touching on conservation, landownership and recreation strategies for the titular waterway. The group created the document to serve as guidance during eventual land sales from PacifiCorp, the company that owns 550 acres surrounding the White Salmon River.

Lower White Salmon Coalition releases its long-range vision for White Salmon River corridor

The Lower White Salmon Coalition, a collection of local organizations, recently published its 157-page package touching on conservation, landownership and recreation strategies for the titular waterway. The group created the document to serve as guidance during eventual land sales from PacifiCorp, the company that owns 550 acres surrounding the White Salmon River.

December 5, 2023, 6:07am Clark County News

In October 2011, the ground shuddered as 700 pounds of dynamite exploded Condit Dam to release the White Salmon River from its century of captivity. Read story

Mount Adams rises above Trout Lake in Klickitat County. The U.S. Geological Survey&rsquo;s Cascades Volcano Observatory is proposing to install five real-time monitoring stations around the volcano to detect lahars, which would give neighboring communities time to evacuate.

A lahar on Mount Adams would put thousands at risk but monitoring stations would warn of dangerous flows

Mount Adams rises above Trout Lake in Klickitat County. The U.S. Geological Survey&rsquo;s Cascades Volcano Observatory is proposing to install five real-time monitoring stations around the volcano to detect lahars, which would give neighboring communities time to evacuate.

December 2, 2023, 6:14am Clark County News

As Pat Arnold plucked weeds from her yard with a view of snow-capped Mount Adams, she navigated around large boulders that hint at the volcano’s destructive past. Read story

Clark County’s Environmental Justice Coalition seeks members

December 1, 2023, 5:58am Clark County Health

Clark County wants to hear from those at high-risk of being impacted by climate change. Read story

Members of the Clark County Council are pictured after new councilors took the oath of office at the Clark County Public Service Center on Jan. 3, 2023. Councilors are Glen Yung, from left, Michelle Belkot, Karen Bowerman, on screen, Gary Medvigy and Sue Marshall.

Clark County Council begins process to address climate change with growth management plan update

Members of the Clark County Council are pictured after new councilors took the oath of office at the Clark County Public Service Center on Jan. 3, 2023. Councilors are Glen Yung, from left, Michelle Belkot, Karen Bowerman, on screen, Gary Medvigy and Sue Marshall.

November 29, 2023, 6:06am Clark County News

The Clark County Council on Tuesday took two incremental steps toward shaping the county’s response to climate change. Read story

Frank Dick, left, Vancouver&rsquo;s wastewater engineering supervisor, chats with Sam Mielcarek, operations supervisor for Jacobs, as they tour the incinerator area of the city&rsquo;s wastewater facility Nov. 9. Vancouver is currently planning its wastewater solids renewal program, which will focus on resource recovery from wastewater.

Vancouver eyes turning sludge from wastewater treatment process into energy

Frank Dick, left, Vancouver&rsquo;s wastewater engineering supervisor, chats with Sam Mielcarek, operations supervisor for Jacobs, as they tour the incinerator area of the city&rsquo;s wastewater facility Nov. 9. Vancouver is currently planning its wastewater solids renewal program, which will focus on resource recovery from wastewater.

November 25, 2023, 6:05am Clark County News

Every day, millions of gallons of water carrying a valuable resource slosh beneath our feet in a complex network of pipes. Read story