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Cleveland Dam

Cleveland Dam is a concrete gravity dam situated on the Capilano River, approximately 5 km north of Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Completed in 1954, it impounds the Capilano Reservoir, serving as a critical component of Metro Vancouver's drinking water supply system by storing water from the Capilano Watershed, which provides about one-third of the region's needs.^[1]^[2] The dam measures 195 meters in length along its crest roadway and stands 92 meters high from base to crest, constructed at a cost of $10.7 million between 1952 and 1954 under the ownership of what is now Metro Vancouver.^[1] Its design leverages the surrounding deep rock canyon for stability, with the east abutment providing a natural earthen barrier to the reservoir.^[1] Significant upgrades have enhanced its resilience, including a $3 million seismic reinforcement in 1992 to withstand maximum design earthquakes and a $25 million east abutment improvement in 2001-2002 to address potential erosion risks.^[1] These modifications ensure compliance with British Columbia's dam safety regulations amid the region's seismic activity, though periodic reviews, such as the 2016 assessment identifying minor deficiencies, underscore ongoing vigilance in maintenance.^[1]^[3] The structure also integrates with Capilano River Regional Park, facilitating public access while prioritizing water security over other uses like hydropower.^[1]

Location and Purpose

Geographical and Hydrological Context

The Cleveland Dam is located on the Capilano River in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, approximately 5 km north of Burrard Inlet.^[1] It occupies a deep, narrow rock canyon within the North Shore Mountains of the Coast Mountains range, adjacent to Capilano River Regional Park.^[1] The impounded Capilano Reservoir draws from a mountainous watershed covering about 198 km², encompassing steep terrain drained by the Capilano River and numerous first- and second-order tributaries.^[4] This catchment, protected from development to preserve water quality, features forested uplands and receives precipitation predominantly as winter rainfall and snowpack accumulation at elevations up to 1,600 m.^[5] Hydrologically, inflows to the reservoir peak with snowmelt in late spring and early summer, augmented by heavy winter rains, enabling storage of up to 40% of Metro Vancouver's drinking water supply.^[6] Dry summers reduce natural inflows, necessitating reliance on reservoir drawdown, while downstream releases sustain riverine ecosystems in the Capilano River.^[5] The system's hydrology reflects the region's temperate coastal climate, with annual precipitation varying by elevation but supporting robust seasonal recharge.

Primary Objectives and Benefits

The Cleveland Dam's primary objective is to create and manage the Capilano Reservoir as a key component of Metro Vancouver's drinking water supply system, storing precipitation and runoff from the Capilano Watershed to meet municipal demands.^[2] The reservoir, impounded since the dam's completion in 1954, supplies approximately one-third of the region's drinking water, supporting reliable distribution to urban areas amid variable seasonal inflows.^[2] This storage function mitigates risks from droughts or low precipitation periods, ensuring consistent availability for over 2.6 million residents across the Lower Mainland through integrated operations with Seymour and Coquitlam watersheds.^[7] A secondary but critical objective is flood control, achieved by regulating outflows via spillways and gates to attenuate peak flows from heavy rainfall or snowmelt, thereby reducing downstream flood risks along the Capilano River.^[7] The dam's design allows controlled releases that prevent overflow during extreme events, aligning with British Columbia's dam safety standards for withstanding floods.^[1] This capability has historically protected infrastructure and communities in North Vancouver from inundation, with operational protocols prioritizing balanced reservoir levels to avoid both scarcity and excess discharge.^[7] Key benefits include enhanced water security, as the Capilano system's contribution—bolstered by the dam—accounts for a stable portion of the total supply, reducing reliance on alternative sources during high-demand summer months.^[2] Flood mitigation provides economic value by safeguarding property and reducing emergency response costs, while the structure indirectly supports watershed health through managed flows that influence aquatic habitats, though primary emphasis remains on human water needs over ecological enhancements.^[7] Overall, these functions underpin regional resilience, with the dam's role in storing up to significant volumes (in coordination with adjacent facilities) enabling proactive management against hydrological variability.^[1]

History

Planning and Construction Phase (1940s-1954)

The Capilano Canyon site for what would become Cleveland Dam was first identified as a potential reservoir location in 1886, but detailed planning accelerated in the 1940s due to surging demand for potable water in Greater Vancouver following World War II population growth and limitations of existing supplies from the Seymour and Capilano rivers.^[6] A comprehensive site investigation during that decade verified the geological suitability for a concrete dam, enabling the Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD) to proceed with designs aimed at creating a major storage reservoir to serve over 300,000 residents by impounding Capilano River flows.^[6] The project was championed by GVWD's first chief commissioner, Ernest Albert Cleveland, who from 1926 advocated regional water infrastructure to ensure reliable, unchlorinated supply from protected watersheds, and the dam was named in his honor upon completion.^[8] Construction commenced in 1951 under GVWD oversight, involving excavation in the narrow, steep-walled Capilano Canyon and placement of a mass concrete gravity-arch structure rising 91 meters high with a crest length of approximately 130 meters.^[6] ^[3] Engineering challenges included bedrock foundation preparation and diversion tunnels to manage river flow during pours, with a 1:60 scale hydraulic model tested in 1953 to optimize the ski-jump spillway design for flood control.^[6] The project employed hundreds of workers, including field engineers like Robert Neil, and featured on-site camps to support the remote location, culminating in reservoir impoundment by late 1954 after concrete curing and initial testing.^[9] At the time, it ranked among North America's larger municipal water dams, securing a third major watershed for the region's supply system.^[6]

Initial Operations and Expansions

The Cleveland Dam was completed in 1954 after construction from 1951 to 1954 at a cost of $10.7 million, marking the transition to operational phase for water storage in the Capilano watershed.^[1] An official opening ceremony occurred on November 19, 1954, honoring the structure's role in securing supply for the Greater Vancouver Water District.^[10] Reservoir impoundment began in December 1954, with initial filling of the Capilano Reservoir behind the 91-meter-high concrete gravity dam.^[11] Early operations focused on stabilizing water levels for municipal supply, while monitoring foundation seepage in the fractured quartz diorite bedrock, which had been identified during site investigations.^[6] Initial post-construction assessments revealed seepage through the east abutment, prompting grouting and drainage modifications in the late 1950s and 1960s to address uplift pressures and ensure structural integrity.^[6] These interventions formed the basis for ongoing maintenance, with the dam's low-level outlet works and spillway managing flows from the 200 square kilometer catchment area.^[11] By the 1990s, expansions in safety features included a $3 million seismic upgrade under Metro Vancouver's program to mitigate earthquake risks in the region's tectonically active setting.^[1] Further structural enhancements occurred in 2001-2002 with a $25 million upgrade to the east abutment, involving foundation treatment to reduce seepage and improve stability against potential seismic events.^[1] These modifications enhanced the dam's capacity to withstand maximum credible earthquakes, reflecting evolving engineering standards without altering the primary reservoir volume of approximately 670 acres.^[12] Subsequent monitoring has confirmed the effectiveness of these early expansions in maintaining operational reliability for water supply and flood control.^[6]

Engineering and Design

Structural Specifications

The Cleveland Dam is a concrete gravity dam, designed to resist water pressure primarily through its mass and weight.^[6] It stands approximately 91 meters high from foundation to crest, with the crest elevation at 149 meters and the full reservoir supply level at 146 meters.^[6] The crest length measures about 195 meters along the roadway.^[1] The structure is constructed of concrete, founded on a deep bedrock canyon composed of hard, moderately jointed granodiorite and quartz diorite, which provides stable support against hydraulic and seismic loads.^[6] The main dam body features a wide base typical of gravity dams, enabling it to counteract reservoir forces without reliance on tensile strength.^[6] An adjacent east abutment incorporates soil materials, distinguishing it from the primary concrete section.^[1] Construction occurred between 1952 and 1954 at a cost of $10.7 million, yielding a robust profile engineered for the region's hydrological and geological conditions.^[1]

Key Features and Hydrology

The Cleveland Dam is a concrete gravity structure, 91 meters high from foundation to crest and 195 meters long along the roadway at the crest. Its east abutment consists of compacted soil, while the main dam body is formed of mass concrete. The structure includes a radial gate spillway capable of controlled discharges, upgraded in recent years to an automated system for enhanced safety during high-flow events. The crest elevation stands at 149 meters, with the full reservoir supply level at 146 meters.^[1]^[6]^[11] The dam impounds the Capilano Reservoir, which extends about 4.5 kilometers upstream with a surface area of 2.3 square kilometers at full supply and a typical width of 0.5 kilometers. The reservoir serves primarily for water storage, drawing from the Capilano River watershed spanning 196 square kilometers, encompassing mountainous terrain up to 1,650 meters elevation with multiple tributaries. Hydrologic inputs are dominated by rainfall and snowmelt, with peak flows occurring in late spring and fall; inflow modeling incorporates probable maximum flood scenarios to ensure spillway capacity exceeds estimated peak discharges. Approximately 7% of the watershed lies below the dam, contributing to downstream flow regulation.^[6]^[13]^[14] Water levels in the reservoir fluctuate seasonally, managed to balance supply demands with flood control; usable storage supports roughly one-third of Metro Vancouver's drinking water needs, with outlets facilitating controlled releases into the Capilano River. Hydrologic assessments, including those for dam safety reviews, utilize models calibrated to historical data and projected extreme events to verify structural integrity under varying inflow conditions.^[2]^[3]

Operations and Management

Water Supply Contributions

The Cleveland Dam impounds the Capilano Reservoir, which functions as a key storage basin for potable water sourced from the Capilano watershed's annual precipitation and snowmelt. This watershed, spanning roughly 200 square kilometres of mountainous terrain north of Vancouver, feeds the reservoir, enabling regulated releases to sustain supply during dry seasons from May to October when regional inflows drop significantly. The dam's structure allows for controlled water levels, with operations prioritizing accumulation to full capacity—typically achieved by mid-June through management of intake gates—to buffer against seasonal variability.^[2]^[5] The Capilano Reservoir holds a licensed storage volume of 57.8 million cubic metres at its centre-line elevation, supplemented by upstream facilities like Palisade Lake Reservoir with an additional usable capacity of about 9.8 million cubic metres. This combined storage under the dam's control contributes approximately one-third of Metro Vancouver's total drinking water needs, serving a population exceeding 2.7 million across the Lower Mainland through interconnected distribution networks. Water from the reservoir undergoes filtration and treatment at facilities such as the Seymour-Capilano plant before delivery, ensuring compliance with health standards amid demands peaking at over 1.2 billion litres daily in summer.^[14]^[3]^[2] Operational protocols, outlined in the Joint Water Use Plan, balance reservoir drawdown for supply with minimum downstream flows to mitigate ecological impacts, reflecting the dam's dual role in resource allocation. Historical data indicate the system's reliability, with levels maintained above critical thresholds even in drought years, such as 2023 when inflows hit near-historic lows yet supply remained uninterrupted. Metro Vancouver's oversight ensures seismic and structural integrity supports this contribution, with periodic reviews confirming the dam's capacity to store and release water without compromising regional hydration.^[7]^[15]

Hydroelectric Aspects and Energy Generation

The Cleveland Dam features a small-scale hydroelectric turbine integrated into its pump house operations, designed primarily to meet on-site electricity demands such as lighting and valve controls. This turbine harnesses energy from water flow within the dam's infrastructure, generating approximately 0.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in 2020, equivalent to about $53,000 in avoided utility purchases.^[16] Similar output levels have been maintained in subsequent years as part of Metro Vancouver's broader energy recovery efforts at water facilities, contributing to cumulative cost savings alongside other sites like the Capilano Energy Recovery Facility.^[17] Larger hydroelectric generation at the dam remains in the planning phase, with Metro Vancouver exploring the use of reservoir overflows and spillway discharges—particularly during high-flow periods from rainfall or snowmelt—to produce grid-connected power without compromising primary water supply functions.^[7] A proposed hydropower project at Cleveland Dam could potentially generate sufficient energy to power around 6,000 homes, leveraging the site's hydraulic head and seasonal water surplus under the Joint Water Use Plan, which balances drinking water extraction, fish habitat preservation, and renewable energy potential in the Capilano watershed.^[18] Feasibility studies, including Phase 2 assessments scheduled for completion in 2025, continue to evaluate technical viability, environmental impacts, and integration with regional grids, though no full-scale installation has been constructed as of October 2025.^[19] These initiatives align with Metro Vancouver's sustainability goals, such as offsetting operational energy use and exploring ancillary applications like green hydrogen production powered by site-specific hydropower.^[20] However, implementation depends on regulatory approvals, hydrological modeling to ensure minimal interference with water levels, and economic analyses confirming returns amid BC Hydro's provincial energy demands.^[21] The dam's concrete gravity structure and 91-meter height provide inherent suitability for such retrofits, but prioritization of potable water supply—accounting for over 40% of the region's needs—limits development to excess flows only.^[6]

Environmental Considerations

Impacts on Ecosystems and Wildlife

The Cleveland Dam, completed in 1954, obstructs the upstream migration of anadromous salmonids in the Capilano River, preventing adult coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from accessing historical spawning grounds above the reservoir without human intervention.^[22]^[23] This blockage has contributed to population declines, prompting the establishment of the Capilano Hatchery in 1971 specifically to bolster stocks affected by the dam's construction.^[24]^[25] Downstream migration poses additional mortality risks, with juvenile coho smolts experiencing approximately 76.7% mortality when passing over the dam's spillway due to physical injury from high-velocity falls and turbulence, while steelhead smolts fare better at around 38.5% mortality.^[26] These losses compound the dam's hydrological alterations, which reduce seasonal flow variability in the lower Capilano River, potentially disrupting sediment transport, nutrient cycling, and invertebrate communities essential for juvenile salmon rearing.^[27]^[28] The reservoir's creation shifted upstream habitats from riverine to lentic conditions, favoring lacustrine species like certain zooplankton and benthic invertebrates over rheophilic fish adapted to flowing waters, though quantitative data on biodiversity shifts remain limited.^[23] Indirect effects on riparian wildlife, such as altered flooding regimes impacting beaver (Castor canadensis) and songbird habitats, have been noted in regional dam studies but lack dam-specific empirical quantification for Cleveland.^[6] Overall, these changes exemplify causal disruptions from impoundment, prioritizing water storage over natural ecosystem connectivity.^[29]

Mitigation Efforts and Regulatory Compliance

The Cleveland Dam, which impedes upstream migration of Pacific salmon species in the Capilano River, has prompted Metro Vancouver to implement a Trap and Truck Program as a primary mitigation measure for fish passage. This initiative involves capturing juvenile coho salmon smolts in rotary screw traps located downstream of the dam during spring outmigration, transporting them by truck to release sites in the Capilano River estuary, and thereby reducing mortality from passage over the spillway, which can exceed 90% without intervention.^[30] The program also facilitates upstream transport of adult salmon, with annual efforts relocating up to 7,500 coho and smaller numbers of steelhead trout above the dam to support spawning, in coordination with the adjacent Capilano River Hatchery operated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.^[29] Effectiveness assessments, mandated under provincial water use plans, have documented improved smolt survival rates, though challenges persist with capture efficiency and estuary predation.^[31] Additional mitigation addresses hydrological and structural impacts on downstream ecosystems. Controlled reservoir drawdowns and freshet releases are timed to mimic natural flow regimes, minimizing erosion and supporting riparian habitats, while seepage control measures implemented in the early 2000s reduced excessive leakage through the east abutment by installing roller-compacted concrete blankets and filters, thereby stabilizing groundwater flows and preventing localized habitat degradation.^[6] Spillway enhancements, including automated gate controls upgraded post-2016 safety reviews, mitigate flood risks that could otherwise scour downstream channels and release sediments, with environmental monitoring integrated to assess impacts on water quality and benthic invertebrates.^[32] Regulatory compliance is governed by British Columbia's Dam Safety Regulation under the Water Sustainability Act, requiring Metro Vancouver to conduct periodic safety reviews, maintain emergency preparedness plans, and submit annual reports verifying structural integrity and operational protocols to the provincial Dam Safety Branch.^[32] The 2016 Dam Safety Review identified deficiencies such as spillway capacity gaps, prompting remedial actions including gate automation and public warning system upgrades to avert breaches that could harm downstream environments, with Metro Vancouver confirming ongoing adherence through expert validations.^[3] Fisheries mitigation aligns with Joint Water Use Plan orders, mandating trap-and-truck evaluations and hatchery integrations to offset dam-induced barriers to anadromous fish, though provincial oversight has faced criticism for inconsistent verification of owner compliance across dams.^[33]

Safety Record and Improvements

Major Incidents and Investigations

On October 1, 2020, an unexpected opening of the Cleveland Dam's drum gate during routine maintenance released approximately 100 cubic metres per second of water into the Capilano River, creating a 3.5-metre surge that swept away five individuals fishing downstream.^[34] The incident resulted in the deaths of Ryan Nickerson, 43, and his son Hugh Nickerson, 14, with Ryan's body recovered shortly after and Hugh's presumed drowned after extensive searches.^[35] Three others survived by self-rescuing or clinging to rocks, though injured.^[36] Metro Vancouver's preliminary investigation identified human error—specifically, miscommunication and procedural lapses during gate calibration—as the primary cause, with no evidence of mechanical failure or foul play.^[37] The drum gate, a radial type installed in 1954, had been taken out of service earlier that day, but controls were inadvertently left active, leading to the unintended lowering.^[32] Subsequent probes by WorkSafeBC, the BC Coroners Service, and the provincial Dam Safety Section confirmed operational shortcomings, including inadequate lockout procedures and risk assessments.^[38] In response, Metro Vancouver dismissed three employees involved and locked the gate mechanism pending upgrades, affirming the dam's structural integrity remained uncompromised.^[39] Prior drum gate malfunctions, including a 1997 uncontrolled release that endangered tubers via a sudden water surge audible as a roar, highlighted recurring operational vulnerabilities but caused no fatalities. A 2014 WorkSafeBC inspection cited a butterfly valve failure in the gate controls, prompting recommendations for enhanced signage and warnings, though alarms were not installed until post-2020. Metro Vancouver's independent dam safety reviews, conducted every seven years, had flagged public notification gaps as early as 2013, with partial implementation delaying comprehensive alerts. These events underscored the gate's age-related reliability issues, influencing post-2020 enhancements like automated sirens and river gauges, completed by 2023.^[40] No structural breaches or flood-control failures have been recorded since the dam's commissioning.

Post-Incident Enhancements and Ongoing Monitoring

Following the October 1, 2020, incident at Cleveland Dam, where human error led to the unintended opening of a spillway drum gate, releasing approximately 100 cubic meters per second of water into the Capilano River and resulting in two fatalities, Metro Vancouver initiated immediate procedural reviews and personnel actions. Three employees involved in the gate operation were terminated, and a preliminary investigation identified lapses in communication protocols and verification steps as primary contributors.^[36]^[41] In response, Metro Vancouver accelerated the deployment of downstream safety measures, including the installation of six automated warning sirens along the Capilano River corridor below the dam, completed by mid-2021. These sirens, equipped with audible alerts and visual strobes, activate during spillway operations or emergencies to notify recreational users. An interim public notification system was also established, incorporating signage upgrades and real-time monitoring enhancements to prevent recurrence of unannounced releases. Additionally, a public awareness campaign was launched, emphasizing river hazards via website resources, social media, and partnerships with local authorities, addressing prior unheeded recommendations from a 2002 safety audit for boater and hiker warnings.^[42]^[43]^[44] The broader Cleveland Dam Safety Enhancements Program, formalized post-incident, focuses on integrating advanced technologies for operational reliability and public safety, with full implementation targeted for 2026. Key components include upgraded spillway gate controls with redundant fail-safes, automated SMS alert systems for registered users in affected areas, and expanded environmental sensors for real-time water flow and structural integrity data. These build on earlier seismic reinforcements, such as the 1992 upgrades to withstand maximum credible earthquakes, while incorporating lessons from the 2020 event to mitigate human factors through enhanced training and automated interlocks.^[40]^[45]^[1] Ongoing monitoring encompasses continuous structural assessments, hydrological telemetry, and seismic instrumentation managed by Metro Vancouver's engineering teams, with annual safety reviews mandated under British Columbia's dam regulations. Instrumentation includes piezometers, inclinometers, and strain gauges embedded in the dam's concrete buttress core and abutments to detect settlement or cracking, supplemented by downstream river gauges tracking flow anomalies. Independent audits, such as the 2016 Dam Safety Review, have informed protocol refinements, ensuring data logging captures abutment stability trends previously under-documented; post-2020, this has been augmented with AI-assisted anomaly detection for proactive alerts. Compliance with federal and provincial standards involves quarterly reporting to the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, verifying no degradation in the dam's 91-meter height or 460-meter crest length since construction in 1954.^[3]^[46]

Significance and Future Outlook

Role in Regional Infrastructure

The Cleveland Dam functions as a cornerstone of Metro Vancouver's water infrastructure, impounding the Capilano Reservoir to store approximately 40% of the region's drinking water supply for the Lower Mainland. Completed in 1954 at a cost of $10.7 million, the 91-meter-high concrete gravity dam captures inflows from the Capilano River watershed, providing a storage capacity of 62 billion liters to buffer seasonal variations and support distribution to over 2.7 million residents across 21 member municipalities. This role is integral to the broader system of three protected watersheds—Capilano, Seymour, and Fraser—that collectively deliver nearly 400 billion liters annually, with Cleveland Dam's contributions ensuring reliability amid fluctuating precipitation in the coastal mountains.^[1]^[6]^[47]^[48]^[49] Beyond potable water provision, the dam aids in flood mitigation for the Capilano River basin by controlling reservoir outflows through its gated spillway, a capability bolstered by 1992 upgrades that enabled it to safely pass the Probable Maximum Flood event. These enhancements, part of Metro Vancouver's seismic and hydraulic improvements, protect downstream communities, roads, and utilities in North Vancouver from extreme rainfall or snowmelt surges, integrating the structure into regional hazard resilience frameworks. While not designed primarily for power production, the dam's spillway discharges offer untapped potential for hydroelectric integration, with Metro Vancouver evaluating 12- to 14-megawatt facilities to convert overflow energy into electricity for the provincial grid managed by BC Hydro.^[6]^[1]^[50] Looking ahead, the dam's infrastructure supports Metro Vancouver's long-term water security strategy, including over $1 billion in planned investments by 2120 to expand storage and treatment amid projected population growth to four million. This positions Cleveland Dam as a vital asset for sustainable resource management, balancing supply demands with environmental protections in one of Canada's most urbanized watersheds.^[48]^[49]

Planned Developments and Challenges

Metro Vancouver's Cleveland Dam Safety Enhancements Program entails installing six public alarms along the Capilano River, upgrading signage, and expanding emergency notifications via the Alertable system to address risks from operational water releases.^[40] These initiatives, accelerated following a 2020 incident where human error caused an uncontrolled spillway discharge resulting in two deaths, include automated spillway gate controls and public education campaigns, with full rollout targeted for 2026.^[51] ^[52] Under the Joint Water Use Plan for the Capilano and Seymour watersheds, feasibility studies for hydropower at Cleveland Dam are advancing, with Phase 2 assessments scheduled for completion by late 2025 to evaluate generation capacity potentially sufficient for 6,000 households.^[7] ^[19] ^[18] Complementary infrastructure upgrades, such as renewed water mains, tunnels, and backup power systems in the Capilano supply area, support long-term reliability for the region's 2.8 million residents.^[53] ^[54] Key challenges persist in reconciling hydropower expansion with ecological imperatives, as the dam impedes salmon migration, rendering structures like fish traps ineffective during low flows and complicating release site selection in the Trap and Truck program.^[30] ^[22] Drought conditions exacerbate fish stranding and habitat fragmentation downstream, necessitating ongoing monitoring and adaptive dam operations under provincial water sustainability regulations.^[29] ^[55] Proposals to raise the dam for additional storage have been rejected due to prohibitive land-use conflicts, seismic considerations, and biodiversity impacts, shifting focus to alternative reservoir options elsewhere in the system.^[56] Public recreation access in Capilano River Regional Park must also be preserved amid these modifications, balancing safety alerts with inherent river hazards like variable flows.^[40]

References

[1]
[PDF] Cleveland Dam Fact Sheet | Metro Vancouver
Cleveland Dam is on the Capilano River, 5 km north of Burrard Inlet. It is 195 meters long and 92 meters high, owned by Metro Vancouver.
[2]
Watersheds and Reservoirs - Metro Vancouver
North Vancouver's Capilano Watershed supplies a third of the region's drinking water. The Capilano Reservoir is contained by the Cleveland Dam (constructed 1954) ...Missing: capacity | Show results with:capacity
[3]
[PDF] Cleveland Dam 2016 Dam Safety Review - Gov.bc.ca
Oct 27, 2016 · Construction of Cleveland Dam was completed in 1954 to supply drinking water to Greater Vancouver. General information on Cleveland Dam is ...
[4]
[PDF] Effect of Drawdown on Ammonium and Iron - BCIT
The drainage basin area upstream of the Cleveland Dam is 198 km?. One main inflow river, the Capilano River, and many first- and second- order streams drain ...
[5]
Reservoir Levels and Water Use | Metro Vancouver
Metro Vancouver's water supply comes from the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam reservoirs within three protected water supply areas north of the populated ...
[6]
The case of Cleveland dam - International Water Power
Dec 8, 2005 · Cleveland dam is a 91m high concrete gravity structure set in a deep bedrock canyon. Full reservoir supply level is at el. 146m and the dam crest is at el. 149 ...
[7]
Joint Water Use Plan | Metro Vancouver
A plan to manage the water resources for drinking water, fish habitat, and potential hydropower generation in the Capilano and Seymour watersheds.
[8]
[PDF] modern-inventory-1997.pdf - District of North Vancouver
The dam is named after Albert. Cleveland, the first chief commissioner of the. Greater Vancouver Water District; he served in that capacity from 1926 until 1952 ...<|separator|>
[9]
Cleveland Dam - general - section V - City of Vancouver Archives
Greater Vancouver Regional District fonds · Greater Vancouver Water District correspondence files · Cleveland Dam - general - section V ...
[10]
Opening of Cleveland Dam - West Vancouver Collections
The file consists of two brochures relating to the opening of Cleveland Dam on November 19, 1954. The brochures include a history of the dam's development.
[11]
[PDF] Cleveland Dam, 19 June 2019
Jun 19, 2019 · The Cleveland Dam is a 91 m high concrete gravity dam, on the Capilano River, North Vancouver. It impounds the. Capilano Reservoir (Fig. 1), a ...
[12]
Cleveland Dam Project - Metrotesting
Apr 30, 2019 · The dam was built in the early 1950's and boasts an impressive spillway nearing 300 feet that holds back the 670 acre, man-made Capilano Lake, ...Missing: history 1940s- 1954
[13]
A multi-century July-August streamflow reconstruction of Metro ...
The Capilano River watershed originates at 1650 m asl on Capilano Mountain and covers an area of 196 km2 ( Table 1 ). The river joins with 11 tributary ...
[14]
[PDF] Joint Water Use Plan for the Capilano and Seymour Watersheds
Oct 27, 2017 · ... water supply sources for the Metropolitan Vancouver area. The Seymour River Watershed is a mountainous watershed located in the North Shore ...
[15]
Inflow to Capilano reservoir hits second-lowest level in 100 years
Jul 21, 2023 · Seven-day average flows into the Capilano reservoir this year (black line) have dropped to the second-lowest levels since 1914. Flows were only lower in 2015.Missing: context | Show results with:context
[16]
[PDF] GVWD Board Meeting - March 2021 Committee Items
Mar 3, 2021 · In 2020, the Cleveland Dam Turbine generated 0.7 GWh or. $53,000 in avoided electricity purchases. 4. Seymour Falls Turbine, installed in the ...Missing: hydroelectric | Show results with:hydroelectric
[17]
[PDF] Greater Vancouver Water District Information Items Package ...
Cumulative annual cost savings from generation and offsets (CERF, Cleveland Dam Pump House, Cleveland Dam. Turbine, and Seymour Falls) and cost savings ...
[18]
Metro to explore hydro plants at North Vancouver dams
Mar 23, 2018 · Cleveland Dam on Capilano Reservoir could generate power for 6000 homes, North Vancouver mayor says.
[19]
[PDF] Water Committee Agenda October 15, 2025 - Metro Vancouver
Oct 15, 2025 · • Complete Phase 2 of the feasibility of hydropower generation at Cleveland Dam. • Initiate study to evaluate the drinking water demand from ...
[20]
[PDF] Water Committee Agenda Package June 11, 2025 - Metro Vancouver
Jun 11, 2025 · This project is carrying out a preliminary feasibility study of green hydrogen production using hydropower at Cleveland Dam (Green Hydrogen ...
[21]
[PDF] Joint Water Use Plan - Fact Sheet - Metro Vancouver
Power Generation. • A proposed hydropower project at the Cleveland. Dam has the ability to generate green energy equivalent to the amount needed to power.
[22]
Cleveland Dam deadly for migrating salmon - The Globe and Mail
Apr 21, 2007 · The salmon are stripped of eggs and sperm and, after being artificially hatched in trays, many of the offspring are released above the dam, ...Missing: ecosystems wildlife
[23]
[PDF] Salmon research and hydro electric power development - Canada.ca
The consequences are either poor spawning or no spawning. 5 Hourston and Larkin (1955) have published a full report on the problems involved in the Cleveland ...
[24]
Salmon spotting: 13+ places in Metro Vancouver to view spawning ...
Oct 10, 2025 · The Fisheries Department-run hatchery was built in 1971 to strengthen declining salmon stocks harmed by the construction of the Cleveland dam.
[25]
[PDF] Capilano Hatchery - Canada.ca
1955-57 - Studies on the effects of the Cleveland dam on downstream migrant. Coho and Steelhead. 1957 - Fisheries meet with G.V.W.D. to ask for hatchery to ...
[26]
[PDF] Capture and Transport of Juvenile Coho - (Oncorhynchus kisutch ...
Survival of coho and steelhead salmon smolts travelling over the Cleveland dam spillway was estimated to be 23.3% and 61.5%, respectively. An assessment of coho ...
[27]
[PDF] ·A Review of Fish Respons~ to Spillways Canadian Technical ...
Jun 7, 1983 · Above the Cleveland Dam, on the. Capilano River in British Columbia, schools of 50-100 coho and steelhead smolts were regularly observed near ...
[28]
[PDF] Joint Water Use Plan Annual Records Report 2024 - Metro Vancouver
Feb 28, 2025 · Flow and Rate of Flow Change in Capilano River below Cleveland Dam Measured at the GVWD Flow Gauge located 250 m below Cleveland Dam. Flows ...Missing: context rainfall
[29]
[PDF] Watershed Fisheries Initiatives Annual Update - Metro Vancouver
Feb 8, 2023 · The hatchery annually transports up to 7,500 adult Coho Salmon plus surplus steelhead trout. (averaging 30 adults) upstream of Cleveland Dam/ ...
[30]
[PDF] Cleveland Dam Trap and Truck Program - GVWD Staff Assessment
The Cleveland Dam Trap and Truck Program includes trapping at the reservoir and Upper Capilano River, tagging, monitoring, and spillway mortality mitigation.
[31]
[PDF] Capilano Seymour Joint Water Use Plan - Metro Vancouver
Jan 19, 2022 · Capilano Seymour Joint. Water Use Plan - Effectiveness Assessment of the Trap & Truck Program at Cleveland Dam. Consultant's report prepared for ...
[32]
Cleveland Dam Updates - Metro Vancouver
"The Capilano River is located downstream of the Cleveland Dam, which is part of Metro Vancouver's drinking water system. The dam creates a reservoir that ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[33]
[PDF] OVERSIGHT OF DAM SAFETY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
The ministry did not effectively oversee dam safety, not verifying or enforcing compliance, and had missing dam records and inaccurate information.
[34]
Human error 'clearest contributing factor' in deadly Cleveland Dam ...
Oct 8, 2020 · A preliminary report has found human error was the "clearest contributing factor" in a deadly incident last week at the Cleveland Dam in North Vancouver, BC.
[35]
Father and son who died in North Vancouver's Cleveland Dam ...
Oct 10, 2020 · Ryan and Hugh Nickerson were fishing on Oct. 1 when a 3.5-metre surge of water rushed down the Capilano River and swept both men to their deaths.Missing: 1997 | Show results with:1997
[36]
Human error cited in Cleveland Dam incident that left one dead, one ...
Oct 8, 2020 · Human error was responsible for the opening of the spillway gate at North Vancouver's Cleveland Dam last week that sent torrents of water down the Capilano ...Missing: issues | Show results with:issues
[37]
Fatal Cleveland Dam disaster blamed on human error - North Shore ...
Oct 8, 2020 · One week after the malfunction at the Cleveland Dam left a North Vancouver man dead and his son missing, Metro Vancouver says human error was to blame.
[38]
[PDF] Cleveland Dam - October 1, 2020 - Gov.bc.ca
Oct 5, 2020 · The Dam Safety Section is expecting an investigation report from Metro Vancouver regarding the October 1, 2020 Incident. Next Steps: •. Review ...
[39]
Three Metro employees dismissed following fatal Cleveland Dam ...
Oct 30, 2020 · Metro Vancouver says three staff have been dismissed for their role in the Oct. 1 sudden release of water from the Cleveland Dam that left a ...Missing: major | Show results with:major
[40]
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Metro Vancouver is enhancing the public warning system for the Cleveland Dam to improve public safety, protect the environment and maintain safe recreation ...Missing: flood | Show results with:flood
[41]
Three workers fired over deadly Cleveland Dam water surge
Oct 30, 2020 · Following the deadly incident, Metro ... improved public warning system and increased monitoring downstream were also being looked at.Missing: post- | Show results with:post-<|separator|>
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Six warning alarms to be installed below Cleveland Dam after ...
Apr 22, 2021 · Metro Vancouver is installing six alarms along North Vancouver's Capilano River below the Cleveland Dam after last October's deadly water release.
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Dam Failure Case Study: Cleveland Dam (British Columbia, 2020)
The 300-foot-high dam impounds the Capilano Reservoir, one of three major Metro Vancouver sources of drinking water for the Greater Vancouver region.
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Order to improve safety at Cleveland Dam apparently ignored ...
Oct 6, 2020 · The wall of water that swept at least five people along the Capilano River last week, killing at least one, was just one of a series of ...Missing: issues | Show results with:issues<|separator|>
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Safety upgrades on track after father-son deaths downriver from ...
Feb 6, 2024 · Improvements in safety at the Cleveland Dam are on schedule and should be fully implemented by 2026, according to a report prepared for Metro ...
[46]
Cleveland Dam Safety Enhancements Program Notifications
Alertable notifications share critical information that let you know: What the emergency is; Where the emergency is occurring; How to stay safe; When the event ...Missing: post- improvements
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Cleveland Dam, Vancouver - Open Fluids
Mar 27, 2018 · Cleveland Dam is a mass concrete dam commissioned 1954 with a maximum height of 97m above natural creek level. It was constructed using over ...
[48]
Metro Vancouver to invest over $1 billion to secure region's water ...
Jul 30, 2020 · Metro Vancouver has three water reservoirs in the region: Coquitlam Lake, the Seymour watershed and the Capilano watershed, where the Cleveland ...Missing: hydrology | Show results with:hydrology
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The Regional Drinking Water System - Metro Vancouver
Metro Vancouver's system of watersheds, dams, treatment facilities, reservoirs, pump stations and water mains transmits water to member jurisdictions for ...
[50]
Metro Vancouver eyes adding hydro generators at reservoir dams
Nov 30, 2012 · The Capilano project, a 12- to 14-megawatt hydroelectric plant slated for the west side of Cleveland Dam, is expected to be built first, at an ...
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Human error to blame for release of water at Cleveland Dam that left ...
Oct 8, 2020 · The spillway is 100-metres high and the dam holds back water from the 670-acre man-made Capilano Lake, which supplies fresh drinking water to ...
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Safety upgrades on track after father-son deaths ... - Vancouver Sun
Feb 6, 2024 · Improvements in safety at the Cleveland Dam are on schedule and should be fully implemented by 2026, according to a report prepared for Metro Vancouver's ...Missing: expansions | Show results with:expansions
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[PDF] Capilano Water Supply Area Infrastructure Upgrades
Additionally, the North. Shore Rescue Society is building a new command post and storage building. These projects began construction in fall 2022 and will be ...
[54]
Metro Vancouver marks 100 years of providing drinking water
Jan 16, 2024 · Metro Vancouver is also replacing and renewing water supply tunnels and key watermains across the region to increase their capacity and improve ...
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https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/14015
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Metro Vancouver outlines options for new reservoirs to increase ...
Jul 30, 2020 · A 50-metre (164-ft) high additional dam could be built upstream of the existing Seymour Reservoir. This would increase storage capacity by 40 ...