Coquitlam Dam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Type in location".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operator.

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's electrical generation infrastructure.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3] 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.[3] Due to seismic concerns, an embankment dam was built on the downstream side of the original rockfill dam in 2008.[4]

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

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. BC Hydro: Coquitlam River and Buntzen Lake Watersheds Template:Webarchive Retrieved on 22 February 2009
  2. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. a b Will Koop: Coquitlam Watershed History Template:Webarchive Retrieved on 22 February 2009
  4. BC Hydro: Coquitlam Dam Seismic Upgrade Template:Webarchive Retrieved 12 March 2009

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Template:IBWaterDiv


Template:GVRD-geo-stub Template:Dam-stub