Coquitlam Watershed Tour Description
Dates for 2025 are TBD.
Towering old growth trees, a historic water intake tower, the dam and breathtaking views of our largest reservoir are sure to inspire awe on this tour of the Coquitlam Watershed.
This tour highlights everything from drinking water infrastructure to giant old-growth Western red cedars and Douglas-firs. Catch a glimpse of the past as you visit the 1913 water intake tower. Enjoy panoramic views of the watershed, Coquitlam Island and Coquitlam Lake.
After a visit to 4-5 locations, participants will have a new appreciation for these protected lands and the source of your tap water. Through short presentations, attendees will learn about the history of our region’s water supply, water quality, treatment, how it gets to your home and the role of a healthy ecosystem in maintaining exceptional water quality. Please note these are technical tours geared towards youth and adults.
Accessibility
Participants must be capable of getting on and off the bus unassisted. While this is a bus tour, the tour stops involve some light hiking and short walks (200m) on trails with uneven terrain and a short set of stairs. Participants should be capable of getting off the bus 4-5 times and walking on rough, unsurfaced sloping trails. The tour also includes a significant amount of driving on gravel roads.
Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and dress in layers; the weather is unpredictable and often cooler in the forest.
Logistics
Please use a washroom before you arrive (there is no washroom at the parking lot), and ensure you have an adequate supply of water in a reusable container for the duration of the tour. There is a port-a-pottie along the way, but no running water or garbage cans. Be sure to bring a snack/lunch and a drink in a reusable container, and be prepared to pack out what you pack in.
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.