Ashlu Creek Green Power Project Backgrounder

Run-of-river projects are common in British Columbia today. They are significant contributors of “green” power because they require little water storage to generate electricity and produce few—if any—greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike large hydro projects that have been traditionally built in BC, no large dams, reservoirs or flooding is caused by these “small hydro” projects. The energy produced comes from the naturally-flowing mountain waters.

The majority of the Ashlu project is underground and only the water intake, powerhouse and transmission line will be visible. The water intake structure and inflatable rubber weir will divert a portion of the creek’s water into an underground tunnel, which transfers the water to the powerhouse for electricity generation. The powerhouse, situated on the bank of Ashlu Creek, will be the size of a large, residential home and contains all of the equipment required to make electricity from the water. Once used, all of the diverted water is returned back to Ashlu Creek.

Contrary to popular belief, the Ashlu Creek project impacts are negligible with no dam construction and less than three km of new power poles required. This corridor will traverse along the existing logging road and connect to the BC Hydro transmission line.

There are no natural, resident fish in the Ashlu Creek bypass reach due to several natural flow barriers on the stream, the cold water and poor spawning habitat. All of the diverted water from the project will be discharged back into the creek, upstream of the salmon spawning area on the Ashlu delta to ensure no net loss of fish habitat. Non-native rainbow trout were introduced in to Ashlu Creek and channel enhancement projects are slated to address the needs of this species.

Every federal and provincial regulatory review body, including the Squamish Nation, has approved the Ashlu project. In fact, the Squamish Nation has spent a decade performing their due diligence on the project.