ENSURING A SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY
Water Stewardship for the Health of the Nation
The river that runs through Hartley Bay and out to the Bay and the Douglas Channel feeds the water treatment plant. It’s vital to life for the community.
Life in Hartley Bay depends on this water for drinking, fire suppression systems, firefighting, sewage treatment, gardening, and more. Historically Gitga’ata moved from Old Town to Hartley Bay because of its constant water supply.
The province has named the Watershed, with the Upper and Lower Lakes, as #7288. Sometimes it is called the Gabion Watershed, but that is not a Gitga’at Name.
The Watershed is the only water source for Hartley Bay, and there is virtually no snowpack, so all water is based on precipitation. Fortunately, Hartley Bay gets over 5 metres of rain yearly, but that rain doesn’t always fall in the spring and summer.
Recently, there have been very low flow years due to climate change and increases in the average temperature, putting the river in danger of running dry periodically.
TAKING ACTION NOW TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS
Ensuring a Community Water Supply
The Government of Canada has agreed to fund the Gitga’at First Nation to build a weir and dam at the outlet of the Upper Lake. These assets will allow the lake level to rise by 3 metres. There will be approximately 5.6 million cubic metres of water available. With the proper management of the release of the water, Hartley Bay will never experience drought.
We have built a new road to the Upper Lake outlet to support the construction of the large cement structure consisting of the weir and dam and controls.
The Province of BC has determined that we require a Water Licence to build the weir and dam. We must complete a Development Plan to obtain the licence. A Development Plan contains many items, including studies (environmental, archeological, inundation, flood risks, etc.), engineered drawings, management plans, and more.
In 2012, Gitga’at had an approved Development Plan for the proposed Hartley Bay Hydroelectric Project. It included a weir and dam. Regulations have since changed. Required documents are being updated to reflect new regulations and requirements.
Instead of just seeking the Water Licence for the weir and dam for the Water Security Project, we are seeking it for the revitalized Gitga’at Power Project at the same time. This will take approximately two years. Once the Development Plan is approved and the Water Licence issued, Gitga’at can begin building the weir, dam, and the remaining hydroelectric assets. Construction will take approximately another year and a half to complete.
TAKING ACTION NOW TO ADAPT TO A CHANGING CLIMATE
Protecting Lands, Water, and Air for Future Generations
Avoiding drought in hot, dry summers is vital to life in Hartley Bay. Drought risks are many—the community requires a constant water supply for drinking and general health, sewage management, firefighting, tourism, fish production, and management, etc. The weir will allow Hartley Bay administration to store and release water as required. When water is abundant, it can be used for electricity generation.
As part of a broader First Nations effort to address climate change, the Hartley Bay hydroelectric project (Gitga’at Power Project) will improve air quality in the community and surrounding area by virtually eliminating the need to use fossil fuels for electricity.
BC Hydro’s diesel-powered generators create approximately 2GWH of electricity with a peak 15 minute demand of 580 kW. The shift to community clean energy will remove up to 2,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year.
The Gitga’at Power Project is energy sovereignty in action. The future of energy generation and storage will offer opportunities in power generation and possibly transmission, hydrogen and solar, for example. Some have the potential to be wealth building.
A decade ago, The Gitga'at Climate Change Adaptation Project (CCAP) examined the challenges of climate change. The analysis came from multiple perspectives, including values, vulnerability, and action planning. Ten years later and the Hartley Bay Hydroelectric Project is a significant step forward for the Gitga'at Nation in adapting to a changing climate. CCAP considered the risks posed by a shifting climate on the Nation's lands and waters, including factors such as lower water levels in creeks and higher ocean levels leading to more significant impacts from storm surges and flooding.
ENHANCING SEASONAL BERRY HARVESTING OPPORTUNITIES
The Road Is Growing New Berry Patches
In the past, the dense shrub layer and heavy tree cover limited berry production. Now, with the road in place, the canopy has opened, allowing sunlight to reach the ground and support new plant growth. This summer, two students from UNBC planted small berry plants—salmonberries, fireweed, and bunchberries—along the route. They began by collecting rhizomes, growing them in the greenhouse for a year, and then transplanting them to their new home by the road. Their work is laying the groundwork for a future of abundant, accessible berry harvests for the community.
POWERING THE FUTURE OF THE NATION
Securing Water for the Future
This August, the community felt the impacts of low water levels after an unusually dry late July.
To protect against these challenges, the Water Security Project will ensure a reliable supply for both today and tomorrow. With the dam and weir in place, the community can count on safe drinking water year-round, while also maintaining enough flow to power the hydro project. This investment brings peace of mind—knowing that no matter how the seasons change, the community will have the resources it needs to thrive, just as it always has.