A Canadian underwater logging company estimates that the world’s reservoirs contain about C$50bn worth of usable wood.
Triton Logging, based on Vancouver Island, believes that submerged trees in British Columbia alone are worth about C$1.5bn and C$50bn globally.
The company is using its Sawfish underwater harvesting technology to cut trees on the bottom of Lois Lake, which was flooded in 1931 and 1941 to create hydroelectric power. The Sawfish is cutting a tree every seven minutes though Triton hopes to reduce this to between three and five minutes.
Logs, including western red cedar and Douglas fir, are sent to a microwave kiln in Squamish to remove water before their onward sale.
