View source for Coquitlam Dam

{{Short description|Dam in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada}}
{{Infobox dam
| name                 =Coquitlam Dam
| image                =
| image_caption        =
| name_official        =
| dam_crosses          =[[Coquitlam River]]
| res_name             =[[Coquitlam Lake]]
| location             = [[Coquitlam]], [[British Columbia]]
| operator             = [[BC Hydro]]
| dam_length           =290 m 
| dam_height           =31 m
| dam_width_base       =
| construction_began   =
| opening              = 1914
| cost                 =
| res_capacity_total   =
| res_catchment        =
| res_surface          = 1100 ha
| coordinates          = {{coord|49|21|14|N|122|46|37|W|region:CA-BC_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| extra                =
}}

'''Coquitlam Dam''' is a hydraulic fill [[embankment dam]] on the [[Coquitlam River]] in the city of [[Coquitlam]], [[British Columbia]]. Although it has no powerhouse of its own, its waters divert to [[Buntzen Lake]], making it part of [[BC Hydro|BC Hydro's]] electrical generation infrastructure.<ref>BC Hydro: [http://www.bchydro.com/bcrp/about/docs/ch08_final.pdf Coquitlam River and Buntzen Lake Watersheds] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013113112/http://www.bchydro.com/bcrp/about/docs/ch08_final.pdf |date=2007-10-13 }} Retrieved on 22 February 2009</ref>   It is also one of the main reservoirs for the Greater Vancouver Water District. BC Hydro has released a new document in March 2018 that addresses emergency preparedness and outlines the areas effected should the dam fail as a result of an extreme earthquake event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/corporate/safety/March-2018-Coquitlam-Dam-Emergency-Prep-Map.pdf|title=Coquitlam Dam Emergency Flood Map|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>

==History==
The first Coquitlam Dam, built to raise the water level of [[Coquitlam Lake]] by five feet, was begun in April 1904, and completed in 1905. It was built to protect the water supply to powerhouses on [[Indian Arm]], via a tunnel to [[Buntzen Lake]], and also supplied water to [[New Westminster]].<ref name="koop">Will Koop: [http://www.belcarra.ca/reports/Coquitlam_Watershed_History.pdf Coquitlam Watershed History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007112849/http://www.belcarra.ca/reports/Coquitlam_Watershed_History.pdf |date=2006-10-07 }} Retrieved on 22 February 2009</ref> By 1906 the original dam was discovered to be leaking, and while repairs were made the leak continued through 1908, until a second dam was completed in 1914.  At the time of the tunnel's completion, it was the longest power diversion tunnel in the world.<ref name="koop" /> Due to seismic concerns, an embankment dam was built on the downstream side of the original rockfill dam in 2008.<ref>BC Hydro: [http://www.bchydro.com/planning_regulatory/projects/coquitlam_dam_seismic_upgrade.html Coquitlam Dam Seismic Upgrade] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215012647/http://bchydro.com/planning_regulatory/projects/coquitlam_dam_seismic_upgrade.html |date=2009-02-15 }} Retrieved 12 March 2009</ref>

The [[Port Moody-Coquitlam Railway]], no longer operating, was built to assist with the dam's construction.

==References==
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==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150919124901/http://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/hydro/medialib/internet/images/places/bc_hydro_facilities/coquitlam/coquitlam_lake_dam0.jpeg Aerial image of dam, BC Hydro]
*https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/corporate/safety/March-2018-Coquitlam-Dam-Emergency-Prep-Map.pdf
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[[Category:Geography of Coquitlam]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Coquitlam]]
[[Category:Dams in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1914]]
[[Category:Publicly owned dams in Canada]]


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