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Tours 
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Our Goal: That Metro Vancouver residents will know where their water comes from, understand the value of this resource, and be inspired to action that ensures the long-term ecological, financial and social wellbeing of the region.

Metro Vancouver manages three large forested watersheds to provide Lower Mainland residents with a clean, reliable supply of high quality tap water. These mountain reservoirs are closed to the public as a primary means of safeguarding  water quality. Every summer, we open the watersheds to the public by hosting bus and walking tours. Come and see for yourself what makes our drinking water world class!

These four-hour tours run from the end of July to September.

2010 tour schedule now available! 

Registration begins Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
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Watershed Tours
 
Schedule
 

COQUITLAM WATERSHED
Thursday/Saturday
 
BUS TOURS
Saturday, 8:00am-12:00pm
Sept 18
 
Saturday,  12:30pm-4:30pm
 Sept 18
 
OLD-GROWTH WALKING TOURS
Saturday, 8:00am-12:00pm
Sept 11
 
Saturday, 12:30pm-4:30pm
Sept 11
 
CAPILANO WATERSHED
Friday/Sunday
 
BUS TOURS
Friday, 12:30pm-4:30pm
Sept 17
 
 
WALKING TOURS
Sunday, 8:00am-12:00pm
Sept 19
 
Sunday, 12:30pm-4:30pm
Sept 19
 
FAMILY TOURS- Capilano
 
Capilano Bus Tour
Sunday, September 12, 12:30pm-4:30pm
 
Pre-registration is required for ALL tours. Seating is limited. No strollers, no pets please.  
 
Call 604-432-6430
Cost for above tours is FREE.
About the tours
What you need to know. What to bring.
 
- Rain or shine
- Four hours in duration
- Guided, conducted in English
- Ages 13+ Adult oriented. See FAMILY TOURS for exceptions.
- Bus tours: 4 - 5 stops of interest
- Walking tours: Meet tour bus at pick-up location. You will be driven into the watershed to begin the walk. 2 - 3 hours of walking; may make additional stops as time permits.
- Wear comfortable, sturdy footwear
- Walking tour participants must be capable of walking on uneven ground on rough, unsurfaced trails.
- There are toilets at most stops
- Registration is required
- Family groups are limited to six people per booking
- No commercial groups
-Bring your Declaration to Enter the Watershed with you to the tour  (it will be e-mailed to you when you register, or download from the Resources section). No Declaration Form is needed for the LSCR tours.
- A snack and water; there are no food or drink services in the watersheds.
- Sweater or jacket
- Sunglasses and a hat; or an umbrella (depending on the weather)
- Camera
 
 

Resources

 How to Get There
Watch video clips
required Flash Player
Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant Official Opening
SCFP
Salmon Return to Coquitlam Lake
Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve: Geomorphology
Alpine Watersheds

Fast Facts

  • Over 4000 people registered for watershed tours in 2003.
  • The first public watershed tours were held in 1993 in Capilano Watershed.
  • Each watershed is approximately 20,000 hectares – that's 50 times larger than Stanley Park!
  • The watersheds receive up to 5 metres of precipitation each year.