Our Watershed

The Coquitlam River watershed is one of many watersheds on the north shore of the Fraser River’s lower reach in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland region.

The watershed is part of the traditional territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nation and has been their home since time immemorial. A healthy future for the watershed is of the utmost importance.

At present, this outlook is not assured.

This mountain and valley region is characterized by:
  • a varied natural, rural-agricultural, urban and industrial landscape
  • cultural, recreational and natural resources values
  • habitat for Pacific salmonids.

The Coquitlam River watershed has a vast headwater wilderness including Coquitlam Lake Reservoir above the Coquitlam Lake Dam. From this catchment area, at least thirty watercourses flow into a developed lower watershed that drains into the Fraser River near the boundary between the cities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. The two largest tributaries of the Coquitlam River are Or Creek and Hoy/Scott/Pinnacle creeks.

In its lower reaches, the Coquitlam River has been the site of:
  • industrial activities
  • agricultural activities
  • urban development.

From the 1880s, Coquitlam Lake served to provide drinking water to New Westminster and the surrounding area. Through the early 1900s the river was dammed for water supply and power generation to support growing communities in the Lower Mainland.

Commercial logging in the watershed was important to the local economy during most of the 1900s. Gravel operations began in and along the Coquitlam River in the 1950s.

Over time, land use and urban development have evolved to meet the needs of residents, businesses and others in the community, which continues to thrive today.

The accumulation of these expanding, diverse land uses, combined with a history of major flooding events, has caused the once plentiful salmon populations of the watershed to dwindle significantly over the last century. Issues such as the salmon decline have been addressed by numerous groups, yet progress towards a healthy, sustainable watershed has been elusive. Better coordination through the development of the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable organization, guided by a mission and common vision, will effectively address the long-term sustainability of the watershed with a focus on people, environment and fish. A healthy watershed is possible!