Water Stewardship

Water Use Planning

British Columbia’s water resource is one of our most precious and important assets. From a crucial supply of drinking water to energy to recreation to irrigation, B.C. water meets many needs for many people.

In recent years declining fish stocks have emerged as a pressing issue along with concern about aquatic habitat and consequently water management. The relationship between fish, flood protection, recreation, other water uses and power generation at hydroelectric facilities has received considerable attention. Environmental and other interests groups called for greater protection of fish resources. Consequently the province began developing Water Use Plans for water control structures.

Opeations at BC Hydro hydroelectric facilities were reviewed by consultative committee which involved licensees, government agencies, first nations, key stakeholders, and the general public. The Water Use Plans resulting from this consultative process describe a set of operating rules for each facility that address the interests at stake while respecting legislative and other boundaries.

Twenty-three of BC Hydro’s facilities went through the water use planning process. These are listed below with the actual or anticipated Water Use Plan implementation dates. Further information is available on the BC Hydro Water Use Planning page.

The planning processes follow a standard set of guidelines

• Guidelines for Water Use Plans (1.91mb)
• Publication Data (29kb)

Some of the resource information considered during planning processes is available from the following provincial ministries:

• Fish Habitat
• River Forecast Center and Snow Survey Information for B.C.