In 1962 BC Hydro was created by the Province in part to develop hydroelectric and water storage projects under the terms of the international Columbia River Treaty. Some impacts from the construction of dams in the Canadian portion of the Columbia River Basin became evident right away. For example, flooding and the creation of reservoirs had an immediate impact on the availability of suitable habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species. Other impacts took years to become obvious. For example, decreased productivity in Kootenay Lake and the Arrow Lakes Reservoir occurred when nutrients were trapped upstream by dams. The change in the food web was a key factor in declining kokanee populations.
In 1995 the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) was established to offset the impacts resulting from construction of BC Hydro dams in the Columbia Basin.
Since 1995 the FWCP has worked hard to make a real difference and has a long list of conservation and enhancement
achievements. The
FWCP staff are making a real difference in an area that has a long
history with hydroelectric projects.
