Project Description:

The Fitzsimmons Creek Hydroelectric Power Project is a 7.5 megawatt run-of-river project located on Fitzsimmons Creek in Whistler, BC. The intake for the power project is located at a naturally narrowed section of river, where the water is collected at a coanda and carried through a penstock for a distance of 3.4 km to the single-turbine powerhouse prior to re-entering into Fitzsimmons Creek. Fitzsimmons Creek is a glacial stream that runs between the Blackcomb and Whistler Mountain ski areas. The creek is home to rainbow trout, bull trout and kokanee in the lower reaches. Fish are known to access the river upstream of the powerhouse; however, the upstream-most known fish distribution occurs downstream of the intake.

Consultant Role:

Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd. (CERG) was retained by the Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Limited Partnership (FCHLP) to conduct a recreational impact assessment and a harlequin duck and benthic invertebrate survey during preliminary planning for the power project. Other tasks performed by CERG include recreational impact assessment, wildlife studies, fish salvages, construction monitoring, hazardous materials and spill response monitoring, and sediment and erosion control. CERG was also retained to conduct environmental monitoring for construction activities relating to development of the Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Power Project and to ensure environmental commitments were achieved during the following construction:

• Access road upgrade
• Equipment commissioning
• Penstock installation
• Powerhouse and tailrace construction
• Transmission line installation
• Head pond filling
• Penstock flushing
• Penstock filling
• Spillway, weir, and intake structures construction