• Explore by Activity /

Dam

Dam: Authorization for the construction of a new water dam. Note: Application for a Water Licence is the first step to obtaining authorization for a dam. Prior to construction of the dam, a Leave to Commence Construction will be required from the Dam Safety Section.

Contents:

• Mandatory Authorizations
• Costs
• Information Requirements
• Potential Additional Requirements
• Related Links
• Other Things you Should Know

About this Activity Guide

This guide summarizes the most common requirements and recommendations for your chosen activity and is designed to help you submit a complete application. Be aware that this information is for guidance purposes only.

Mandatory Authorizations

Authorization Name	Link to Authorization Guidance	Link to Application
Water Sustainability Act – Water Licence	Authorization Guidance	Apply Now

Costs

Cost may be a specific value or range of values. The cost includes GST, where applicable.

Cost Type	Cost Description	Cost	Link to Details
Application Fee	Application fee varies with water purpose and volume.	$100 - $250	Water Application Fees

Information Requirements

Requirement	Description	Link to Details
Water Licence Online Application	An online system which requires you to enter information onscreen and upload documentation, digital files and/or maps to support your application.	What You Need to Apply
Drawings	A drawing that meets the Water Application Drawing Standards	Drawing Standards
Survey Plans	As required. See link provided for details on Drawing Standards.	Drawing Standards
Dam Plan (Must be submitted to Dam Safety Branch once Water Licence application has been approved. Requirements will be set out in an attachment to the Water Licence.).	See link provided for details on information needed for the following items: Development Report; Design Plans and Specifications; Construction Supervision Plan; Environmental Management Plan; and Draft Operational Maintenance and Surveillance Manual.	Plan Submission Requirements for Construction or Rehabilitation of a Dam

Potential Additional Requirements

Requirement	Description	When is it Required?
Water Sustainability Act - Change or Use Approval	An authorization under the Water Sustainability Act which allows you to make changes in and about a freshwater source. Change or Use approval applies depending on activity and length of use.	If you will be working in or around freshwater.
Department of Fisheries and Oceans - Federal Approval	See Links section for information on assessing whether your project will require federal approval.	Approval may be required if it is determined that there maybe harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat.
Environmental Assessment Certificate	See Links section for details on Environmental Assessment Certificates	The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) of British Columbia may consider large projects that meet the following requirements as reviewable: The new dam is over 15 metres in height or impounds 10 million m3 of water; The new dam or rehabilitation creates or increases the reservoir area by 20 hectares; or Any dam facility that is, or was, permitted to impound 10 million m3 of water or more that is being decommissioned or removed. Contact the EAO if your project meets any of these criteria.
Letter - Private Land Authorization	Letter from land owner must provide: Owner's contact information; Owner's signature and date of signature; An accurate description of the land in question; and Rights to the resource.	When activity is located on private land not owned by the applicant.
Occupant Licence to Cut	Contact details, species and volume of timber, location of timber, associated tenure details, general and site map, purpose, details on wildlife, and other resource values.	If trees on Crown land need to be cut.

Related Links

Link	Description
Dam Safety Program Technical Resources	A Web page providing resources, including technical documents related to dam construction, dam safety, dam assessments and dam maintenance.
Change Approval for Changes in and about a stream	A Web page providing information on water approvals and the notification process.
Crown Land Uses	A Web page providing information about different Crown land uses and related application processes.
Licence to Cut Administration	A Web page providing information on Licence to Cut permissions, required for the cutting of Crown land timber.
Local Governments	A Web page providing a searchable directory of local governments in British Columbia.
Road Use Permit Application Form	An online application for obtaining a Road Use Permit (RUP).
Department of Fisheries & Oceans – Projects Near Water Self Assessment	A federal government-maintained Web page providing self assessment information for projects near water.
Environmental Assessment Process	A Web page providing information on Environmental Assessments and related requirements and processes.
Plan Submission Requirements for the Construction and Rehabilitation of Dams	A Web page providing information on dam design requirements for prospective dam owners.

Other Things You Should Know

Archaeology Information
Archaeological sites are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act and must not be altered or damaged without a permit issued by the Archaeology Branch. Information regarding potential risks to protected archaeological sites may be obtained by submitting an online data request form to the Archaeology Branch or by contacting a professional archaeologist via the BC Association of Professional Archaeologists (www.bcapa.ca) or via local directories. Visit the Archaeology Branch website for more information.

BCeID - What Is It and Why Get It?
BCeID is an online service that allows you to create a user ID and password to sign in securely to many Government services in British Columbia. The benefits of having a BCeID account include:

• Stop and start. Save and return later to complete your application without losing any information previously entered.
• Real time status information. Check the status of your application in real time.
• Access your applications for multiple people (Business BCeID only) to edit or submit your application or check its status. To enroll in this service, visit the BCeID web page: FrontCounter BC - BCeID

Consulting with First Nations

• The Province is committed to reconciliation as part of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act.
• The Province is responsible for ensuring adequate and appropriate consultation and accommodation, it may involve the proponent in the procedural aspects of consultation.

Proponents are encouraged to engage with First Nations as early as possible in the planning stages to build relationships and for information sharing purposes. To get more information about the guidelines and procedure manuals that are designed to assist government officials and proponents with meeting consultation obligations, please visit the Consulting with First Nations web page.

Legal Disclaimer
This guide provides the most current and accurate information available to the Government of British Columbia at the time of publishing; however, we make no warranty regarding the completeness, currency or accuracy of this information. This information is for guidance purposes only and does not replace legislated requirements. Each application is unique and circumstances may result in additional requirements beyond those included in this guide.

Last Updated: July 14, 2023