Coquitlam River Watershed Assessment River Report

Introduction:

Coquitlam River watershed has a unique location distribution, and it also has a third order stream
(Brown, 2021). The upstream is in the BC protection area, and the downstream is in the high
urbanization area. Figure 1 indicates the upstream Coquitlam R. Ab Lake, located in the
protected forested area. Coquitlam R. Ab Lake is between Say Nuth Khaw Yum Park and
Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. This area was highly glaciated in the past, leaving behind a
stunning panorama of rocky, forested mountains, several alpine lakes, and several creeks and
waterfalls (Ministry of Environment, 2021). Figure 2 indicates the downstream Coquitlam Como
Lake Ave, which is in Coquitlam city. Coquitlam Como Lake Ave is a recreate park in the urban
area, which has a small freshwater lake surrounded by grove patches of trees (Como Lake Park,
n.d). Swampy and marshy areas can be found on the lake's western shore (Como Lake Park, n.d).

Figure one: Demonstrate Coquitlam River upstream location. (https://open.canada.ca/data/en/fgpv_vpgf/1130248f-

f1a3-4956-8b2e-38d29d3e4af7)

Figure two: Demonstrate Coquitlam River downstream location.

(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Como+Lake+Ave,+Coquitlam,+BC/@49.2608065,-122.8602373,17z/data=!
4m5!3m4!1s0x548678f652e00873:0x37b1ff6cae2d9ca4!8m2!3d49.2634846!4d-122.8559887)
Data source:
During the research, the BC water tool, Environmental Canada, and water survey of Canada
provide data about climate and hydrometric. That’s contribute to the figures of precipitation and
discharge for both upstream and downstream. All final data and resource used in the report was
discussed by group.

Result:
Figure 3 and figure 4 indicate the annual precipitation for Coquitlam R. Ab Lake from 1991 to
2017 and Coquitlam Como Lake Average from 1973 to 2016. Compared to figures 3 and 4,
precipitation does not have a significant trend change during these years. However, figure 3
(Coquitlam R. Ab Lake) only has 26 years and has 2 invalid points, which are 2009 and 2015.
The reason is the data used in the figure are might not quality checked. The data from 1991 to
2017 is the most qualitative in the recent 30 years. Figure 4 also has four invalid data, which are
1983, 1987, 2007, and 2016, as the data might not be quality checked by the provider.

Annual Precipitation (1991 -2017)

Coquitlam R. Ab Lake
Station ID CQM
18000
16000
14000
12000
Precipitation (mm)

10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
1992

1995

1998

2000
2001

2003

2005
2006

2008
2009

2012

2014
2015
1991

1993
1994

1996
1997

1999

2002

2004

2007

2010
2011

2013

Year

Figure three: Demonstrate Annual Precipitation from 1981 to 2016 in Coquitlam R. Ab Lake.
 Annual Precipitation (1973-2016)
Coquitlam Como Lake Average
Station ID 1101889
2500

2000
Percipitation(mm)

1500

1000

500

0
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Year

Figure four: Demonstrate Average Monthly Precipitation from 1990 to 2020 in Coquitlam Como Lake Average.

Figure 5 indicates the average monthly precipitation from 1981 to 2016 in Coquitlam R. Ab
Lake, and figure 6 demonstrates the average monthly precipitation from 1981 to 2016 in
Coquitlam Como Lake Average. Compared to figure 5 and 6, the upstream (in Coquitlam R. Ab
Lake) has higher precipitation than downstream (Coquitlam Como Lake Average). Some reasons
might influence the precipitation rate and climate regime. The upstream is in the forested
mountain area, so the orographic effect causes the upstream to have more precipitation and keep
more snowfall on the upstream. The orographic uplift always happens in the mountains when air
masses are forced to flow over high topography (Arthur & Saffer, n.d). Thus, rainfall is typically
concentrated on the mountain's windward side, and rainfall increases with elevation in the
direction of storm tracks (Arthur & Saffer, n.d). And also, orographic uplift will lead when air
rises cool adiabatically will occurs and the temperature will reduce 10°C for every kilometre
(Arthur & Saffer, n.d). Thus, the upstream has mix regime which is rainfall and snowfall
dominate. Downstream is in the urban area which is managed and recreated by human and do not
affect by orographic uplift. Downstream also has a lower snowfall precipitation than upstream.
In the previous year, the average day of snow fall is about 14.5 day and aggregates up to 343mm
of snow in the Coquitlam city (Yu Media Group, n.d). Thus, the climate regime for downstream
(Coquitlam Como Lake Average) is rainfall dominate.

Figures 5 and 6 also might tell the information about the dry and wet seasons in the Vancouver
area. Both figures indicate that the upstream and downstream watershed have the lowest
precipitation from April to September. The wet season has the most rainfall from October to
March. And also, upstream has the highest precipitation rate in January and downstream has the
highest precipitation in November over 30 years.

Average Monthly Percipitation (1981-2016)

Coquitlam R. Ab Lake
Station ID CQM
700

600

500
Precipitation (mm)

400

300

200

100

0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Month

Figure five: Demonstrate Average Monthly Precipitation from 1981 to 2016 in Coquitlam R. Ab Lake.
 Average Monthly Percipitation (1981-2016)
Coquitlam Como Lake Average
Station ID 1101889
350

300

250
Precipitation (mm)

200

150

100

50

0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month

Figure six: Demonstrate Average Monthly Precipitation from 1981 to 2016 in Coquitlam Como Lake Average

.
Figure Seven indicates the dam in the Coquitlam where is on above. The dam has been used by
BC hydro for hydroelectric purposes and changed the Coquitlam River watershed forever (2020).
The dam might influence downstream (Coquitlam Como Lake Average) discharge in different
ways. For instance, the dam could change the low flow regime, the interannual flow variability,
reduce peak flow, and the flow rate could be controlled by human behaviors (FitzHugh and
Vogel, 2011; Magilligan and Nislow, 2005). Besides, in the urban area, the watershed discharge
might be disturbed that could cause infiltration and evaporation to be reduced (Du et al, 2015).
Thus, the downstream discharge might not have significant meaning for data analysis.

Figure eight shows the annual discharge for the upstream (Coquitlam River Above Coquitlam
Lake) from 1991 to 2021. There is no significant trend change from 1991 to 2021. However,
1997 has the highest discharge, and 2019 has the lowest discharge. The difference in discharge
between 1997 and 2019 is about 138.3 million m3 / year. During the research, 1997 has higher
precipitation which is 1521.8mm, and the precipitation for 2019 is 965.6mm (2021). Therefore,
the discharge on the upstream might be affected by the precipitation rate. The upstream is a
forested protection area that could not be affected by human behaviors like the urban watershed
design or dam established.

Figure 9 indicates the monthly discharge in 1997. The reason for choosing 1997 as a sample year
is 1997 has the highest precipitation (1521.8mm) in recent years (2021). Figure 9 indicate that
March could regard as a peak point at the beginning of the dry season, and October might
account for the other peak point at the beginning of the wet season. Precipitations might affect
the discharge flow, as higher precipitation could cause soil to be saturated and increase the
surface runoff (Li et al., 2020). Thus, when the dry season begins, the upstream could have a
higher discharge. Because of the orographic uplift and snowfall started, part of the first-order
stream areas might be frozen that would lead discharge rate decrease from November to middle
March. When the dry season begins, the temperature increases which might cause evaporation
rate increase and soil is defreeze (Townsend‐Small et al, 2013). And also, snowfall may begin to
melt (Townsend‐Small et al, 2013). Besides, when soil defreeze and temperature hydrologic
cycle could work more effectively like inflation rate increase (Townsend‐Small et al, 2013).
Thus, these reasons might cause discharge rises in March could reach another peak point and
discharge from March to July remains of high level of streamflow.

Figure Seven: Demonstrate Coquitlam Dam location

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fa100.gov.bc.ca%2Fpub%2Facat%2Fdocuments
%2Fr39209%2FAssessment_Coquitlam_Pathways_1382622191346_115d1874ad81e0082b7175f99fc1f0c7495a9d4016b89b705267ea1ee57912b
5.pdf&psig=AOvVaw2JgnEe5JN-b08KJg-
e1E4U&ust=1634005292043000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCMiYgpymwfMCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
 Annual Discharge (1991 - 2021)
Coquitlam River Above Coquitlam Lake
Station ID 08MH141
350
300
250
million m3/year

200
150
100
50
0
19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 17 19 21

Year

Figure Eight: Demonstrate Annual Discharge for Coquitlam River Above Coquitlam Lake from 1991 to 2021

Figure nine: Demonstrate Monthly Discharge for Coquitlam River Above Coquitlam Lake in 1997.
Conclusion:
Coquitlam River watershed is a particular watershed which is combined by forested mountains
protection area for the upstream and high urbanization area for downstream. Upstream and
downstream may have the same precipitation rate, followed by Vancouver dry season and wet
season. However, the upstream might have a higher precipitation rate than the downstream.
Orographic uplift suggests playing an important role in influencing the upstream precipitation.
The Coquitlam dam and urbanization might influence the downstream discharge. The further
downstream discharge affected by urbanization is considered to be discussed in the next report
and presentation. The upstream discharge might be influenced by precipitation and sown
melting, so the peak point of the two upstream discharge peaks in March and October. Overall,
the precipitations and discharge for the Coquitlam River might be affected by the Vancouver
climate regime.
 Reference

Arthur, M., & Saffer, D. (n.d.). The orographic effect. The Orographic Effect | EARTH 111:
Water: Science and Society. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.e-
education.psu.edu/earth111/node/751. 

Brown, S. (2021). MODEL 1 THE HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE [Class handout]. Retrieved

from University of British Columbia LWS 515 course material.

Como Lake Park. Coquitlam, BC. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2021, from
https://coquitlam.ca/Facilities/Facility/Details/Como-Lake-Park-26. 

Coquitlam Lake Dam. Coquitlam River Watershed Rountable. (2020). Retrieved October 11,
2021, from https://www.coquitlamriverwatershed.ca/coquitlam-lake-dam/. 

Du, S., Shi, P., Van Rompaey, A., & Wen, J. (2015). Quantifying the impact of impervious
surface location on flood peak discharge in urban areas. Natural Hazards, 76(3),
1457- 1471.

FitzHugh, T. W., & Vogel, R. M. (2011). The impact of dams on flood flows in the United
States. River Research and Applications, 27(10), 1192-1215.

Li, Y., Jiang, Z., Chen, Z., Yu, Y., Lan, F., Shan, Z., ... & Rodrigo-Comino, J. (2020).
Anthropogenic disturbances and precipitation affect Karst sediment discharge in the
nandong underground river system in Yunnan, Southwest China. Sustainability, 12(7),
3006.

Magilligan, F. J., & Nislow, K. H. (2005). Changes in hydrologic regime by

dams. Geomorphology, 71(1- 2), 61-78.

Ministry of Environment. (2021). BC Parks. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from

https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/say-nuth-khaw-yum/. 

Total precipitation - annual data for Vancouver. Amateur Weather Statistics for Vancouver,
British Columbia. (2021). Retrieved October 11, 2021, from
https://vancouver.weatherstats.ca/charts/precipitation-yearly.html. 

Townsend‐Small, A., Pataki, D. E., Liu, H., Li, Z., Wu, Q., & Thomas, B. (2013). Increasing
summer river discharge in southern California, USA, linked to urbanization. Geophysical
Research Letters, 40(17), 4643-4647.
Yu Media Group. (n.d.). Coquitlam, Canada - detailed climate information and monthly weather
forecast. Weather Atlas. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.weather-
atlas.com/en/canada/coquitlam-climate. 
Appendix:

Figure one: Demonstrate Coquitlam River upstream location. (https://open.canada.ca/data/en/fgpv_vpgf/1130248f-

f1a3-4956-8b2e-38d29d3e4af7)

Figure two: Demonstrate Coquitlam River downstream location.

(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Como+Lake+Ave,+Coquitlam,+BC/@49.2608065,-122.8602373,17z/data=!
4m5!3m4!1s0x548678f652e00873:0x37b1ff6cae2d9ca4!8m2!3d49.2634846!4d-122.8559887)
 Annual Precipitation (1991 -2017)
Coquitlam R. Ab Lake
Station ID CQM
18000
16000
14000
12000
Precipitation (mm)

10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
1992

1995

1998

2000
2001

2003

2005
2006

2008
2009

2012

2014
2015
1991

1993
1994

1996
1997

1999

2002

2004

2007

2010
2011

2013
Year

Figure three: Demonstrate Annual Precipitation from 1981 to 2016 in Coquitlam R. Ab Lake.

Annual Precipitation (1973-2016)

Coquitlam Como Lake Average
Station ID 1101889
2500

2000
Percipitation(mm)

1500

1000

500

0
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016

Year

Figure four: Demonstrate Average Monthly Precipitation from 1990 to 2020 in Coquitlam Como Lake Average.
 Average Monthly Percipitation (1981-2016)
Coquitlam R. Ab Lake
Station ID CQM
700

600

500
Precipitation (mm)

400

300

200

100

0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month

Figure five: Demonstrate Average Monthly Precipitation from 1981 to 2016 in Coquitlam R. Ab Lake.

Average Monthly Percipitation (1981-2016)

Coquitlam Como Lake Average
Station ID 1101889
350

300

250
Precipitation (mm)

200

150

100

50

0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month

Figure six: Demonstrate Average Monthly Precipitation from 1981 to 2016 in Coquitlam Como Lake Average
 Figure Seven: Demonstrate Coquitlam Dam location
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fa100.gov.bc.ca%2Fpub%2Facat%2Fdocuments
%2Fr39209%2FAssessment_Coquitlam_Pathways_1382622191346_115d1874ad81e0082b7175f99fc1f0c7495a9d4
016b89b705267ea1ee57912b5.pdf&psig=AOvVaw2JgnEe5JN-b08KJg-
e1E4U&ust=1634005292043000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCMiYgpymwfMCFQAAAAAd
AAAAABAD

Annual Discharge (1991 - 2021)

Coquitlam River Above Coquitlam Lake
Station ID 08MH141
350
300
250
million m3/year

200
150
100
50
0
19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 17 19 21

Year

Figure Eight: Demonstrate Annual Discharge for Coquitlam River Above Coquitlam Lake from 1991 to 2021
Figure nine: Demonstrate Monthly Discharge for Coquitlam River Above Coquitlam Lake in 1997.