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Dawson Creek Water Supply System Project

The Dawson Creek Water Supply System Project is working to secure a new, reliable water source for Dawson Creek and the region. 

Project Phases 

This work to secure a reliable water source will take place over four phases, allowing us to pause, reflect, and adapt as needed to make sure we are taking the right steps and making the best decisions for our community moving forward: 

Four boxes showing the four phases of this project


Phase 1 is focused on confirming demand, identifying potential water supply sources, exploring infrastructure needs, understanding regulatory considerations, and establishing an evaluation framework to assess potential options. Work on this phase started in April 2026 and is being completed on an accelerated timeline while maintaining a thorough technical approach. 

Initial intake locations and potential infrastructure corridors have been developed and are currently being refined. The intake locations selected for further analysis include potential sites on the Peace River, Pine River, and Murray River. Two potential discharge locations have also been identified: the Hansen Reservoir and the South Dawson Reservoir. Both are existing raw water reservoirs located west of the City and already form part of the City’s raw water storage system, allowing the project to leverage existing infrastructure. 

This work is being shaped by the seven guiding principles for water security that were developed by the City of Dawson Creek Council based on what the project team has learned from Indigenous communities, partners, and the community: 

  • Multi-generational success and long-term security 

  • Fair and transparent governance 

  • Water stewardship through system innovation 

  • Certainty and public control 

  • Consider a regional approach and impacts outside City boundaries 

  • Financial resilience and risk management 

  • Climate resilience and environmental adaptation 

Each principle has been designed to support Dawson Creek’s goal of securing a resilient, sustainable water future. These guiding principles form the foundation of the project’s approach to ensuring alignment with shared community and regional partner values. 

Learn more about the Guiding Principles


 

Engagement is a core part of the project and is ongoing with Indigenous communities, regulators, industry, and other interested parties. 

Work to date includes: 

  • Ongoing coordination with regulatory agencies 

  • Initial meetings with local Indigenous communities 

  • Presentations to regional governments and Treaty 8 leadership 

  • Engagement with industry on long-term water needs 

As options for source locations and potential infrastructure corridors are narrowed down, broader engagement will take place in future phases of the project to thoroughly understand the impacts of the source and pipeline routing options. 

View Early Engagement Feedback

In early 2024, low flows in the Kiskatinaw River prevented pumping for almost two months. This project will improve water security, support agriculture and industry, aid emergency response in drought and fire seasons, and reduce pressure on the Kiskatinaw watershed. 

Benefits to the region
  • High-quality and secure water source for residents of Dawson Creek, Pouce Coupe, and the surrounding region for domestic use, agriculture, industry, and wildfire mitigation
  • Reduces stress on, and promotes recovery, of the Kiskatinaw River Watershed
  • Promotes stewardship of water resources in the region for the benefit of all water users

Project Updates

 

March 31, 2026 Community Update March 20, 2026 Community Update September 23, 2025 Community Update

Early Engagement Overview

The Dawson Creek Water Supply System completed the Early Engagement phase of the Province of BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) environmental review in Fall 2025. The compiled feedback is now available for viewing on the EAO's website at EPIC.engage.  

The feedback from Indigenous communities, residents, agencies, and technical experts highlighted concerns about the project approach, including the need for clearer communication, stronger relationships with Indigenous communities, and more transparency about project impacts and benefits. Based on these concerns, the City reset the engagement process to focus on building a stronger evidence base. This will allow us to better understand: 

  • How much water the community will need in the future 

  • Where that water could come from 

  • The treatment required to make it safe to drink 

  • How it could be delivered to Dawson Creek 

  • The costs, risks, and challenges associated with different options 

Status of the Temporary Emergency Overland Water Transfer System 

Work continues on the temporary Emergency Overland Water Transfer system, which would only supply the average daily water demand under a short-term use approval agreement with the Province of British Columbia. The technical preparations for pumps, hoses, staging, and operations are progressing so that the system can be deployed quickly if and when needed. Learn more on our Drought Emergency page.

Project FAQs 

Looking for more information? The project team has developed a Project FAQ to help. 

Read the project FAQs here

Questions and feedback

Reach out to the City of Dawson Creek team regarding this project at the contact information below or complete the feedback form.

Email: watersupply@dawsoncreek.ca
Phone: 250-784-3619

Contact the City of Dawson Creek

Contact Us

The City of Dawson Creek
10105 - 12A Street
City of Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3V7
Telephone: 250-784-3600