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Water Use Plans

River lined with mossy rocks

Sustainable work in practice

Water use planning is an example of sustainable work in practice at BC Hydro. The overall goal is to find a better balance between competing uses of water, such as domestic water supply, fish and wildlife, recreation, heritage, flood control and electrical power needs, which are environmentally, socially and economically acceptable to British Columbians.

Rivers and reservoirs are central to BC Hydro's generation system, with nearly all of the province's electricity coming from water. This water also holds cultural significance, provides drinking water for communities, supports recreation, and is home to fish and wildlife.

To help balance these diverse uses, the B.C. Government developed water use planning guidelines in the late 1990s and mandated BC Hydro to undertake the process.

Water use plans were developed for most of BC Hydro's hydroelectric facilities through a consultative planning process involving government agencies, First Nations, local citizens, and other interest groups.

The provincial Comptroller of Water Rights reviewed the water use plans under B.C.'s Water Sustainability Act with input from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, other provincial agencies, First Nations, and water license holders who might be affected.

Implementation of Water Use Plan Orders

Once accepted by the Comptroller, operational changes, monitoring studies and physical works outlined in the plans are being implemented by BC Hydro through Orders from the Comptroller under B.C.'s Water Sustainability Act.

Select a region below to find the implementation information by hydroelectric facility:

Water Use Plan Order Reviews

Starting in 2015, and occurring over the next 15 or more years, reviews will be undertaken of the activities that BC Hydro has performed to meet the intent of the Orders from the Comptroller.

These reviews take a collaborative approach, bringing together federal and provincial agencies, First Nations, license holders, key stakeholders, local government and the public to review our ordered operations and related studies and recommend how the Orders can be maintained or adjusted.