Coquitlam-Buntzen system

Coquitlam-Buntzen system originates in the headwaters of the Coquitlam River, which flows from the Lower Mainland coastal mountains south to the Fraser River via the Coquitlam Reservoir.

The Coquitlam Reservoir lies within the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD)  watershed about 10 km north of the Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam. Tunnels divert water from the Coquitlam Reservoir to the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) for domestic water and to Buntzen Lake Reservoir, where the intakes are located for the two powerhouses situated on the shore of Indian Arm.

Buntzen Reservoir is situated just north of the Village of Anmore, approximately 30 km east of downtown Vancouver. The Coquitlam-Buntzen hydroelectric system is in the traditional use area of five First Nations, including Kwikwetlem First Nation, Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, Katzie First Nation, Squamish First Nation and Musqueam First Nation. It is also within the traditional territory claimed by Sto:lo Nation.

View project map [PDF, 796 KB] at a larger size.

Buntzen Lake is a popular recreation site. Find information on directions, hours of operations, parking reservations, site advisories, safety and what to do at Buntzen here.

We're working to upgrade the Coquitlam-Buntzen system so that our customers continue to receive reliable and clean electricity. There are currently a number of projects underway

• The Lake Buntzen Unit Life Extension project will extend the service life of the generator and turbine unit at Lake Buntzen.
  

• The Lake Buntzen Flood Discharge Capability Improvement project will improve our ability to pass inflows and protect our infrastructure.
  

• The Lake Buntzen Generation Station Crew Dock and Accessibility Upgrade will replace the existing dock for safe access.
  

• The Lake Buntzen Turbine Inlet Valves Hydraulics Upgrades will replace the dated equipment to improve the Hydraulics cylinder to a high-pressure Hydraulic system with no oil leakage.
  

• Coquitlam-Buntzen Diversion Tunnel is now complete with the required upgrades to the Coquitlam-Buntzen Diversion Tunnel.

Engagement is underway for the Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Order Review (WUPOR) and the application for Fisheries Act Authorization (FAA) Renewal. 

The Review will bring together federal and provincial agencies, First Nations, licence holders, key stakeholders, local government and the public to review BC Hydro’s operations and related studies and recommend how an operating Order for BC Hydro’s facilities may be maintained or adjusted for future operations. The WUPOR is the final step in implementing the provincial Water Use Planning guidelines.

Water Use Plans describe operating rules for BC Hydro that aim to better balance competing values and interests identified by the committees while still respecting legislative and other requirements. The provincial Comptroller of Water Rights reviewed and accepted the Plans under B.C.'s Water Act now the Water Sustainability Act. The Plans were implemented through Orders from the Comptroller. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada also issued Fisheries Act Authorizations (FAA) to BC Hydro for its generating facilities once the Water Use Plan Orders were in place. These FAAs were given expiry dates that are tied to the review of the Orders. The FAAs authorize impacts to fish and fish habitat related to BC Hydro’s operations provided our facilities are operated in accordance with the Orders. 

The Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Orders and FAAs have been in place for more than 20 years.

BC Hydro acknowledges that the Coquitlam and Buntzen watersheds are culturally significant to kʷikʷəƛ̓əm and other First Nations. BC Hydro is committed to working with those First Nations whose territory overlaps with the watersheds.

The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Government of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations, and public stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by the footprint of existing BC Hydro dams.

Since 1999, more than $4M has been spent on 49 projects in the Coquitlam Buntzen Watershed. This includes 36 projects related to fish.

BC Hydro has water licence obligations in the Columbia and Peace regions, and has made voluntary commitments to address the impacts of dams in the Coastal Region. BC Hydro fulfills the applicable obligations through the work of the FWCP.

The FWCP is funded by BC Hydro and compensates for the historical impacts to fish, wildlife and their supporting habitats affected by generation facilities.