If there was a single Canadian creek to save from the onslaught of hydro developers, this would be it—the Callaghan. It’s the crown jewel of creek runs for kayakers in southwestern British Columbia and draws paddlers from both sides of the border. Known for its clean waterfalls, reliable running season and four kilometers of quality whitewater, the run can best be described as ultra classic.
However, that doesn’t keep the big dogs from sniffing around. Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. may be looking to develop a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project that would result in significantly slower water speeds and, potentially, the loss of the run altogether.
In early May, Innergex flew a helicopter over the creek and sent a handful of hired consultants to take water samples and examine fish species. Less than two days after the helicopter flew over the site, paddlers had created a “Save the Callaghan” Facebook page and had more than 150 people signed up in support.
It’s a familiar scene to the paddlers of Whistler. Rutherford Creek was one of the first classic runs to fall victim to development in 2001 and is now effectively dewatered. Then in 2006, Innergex began development of a project on nearby Ashlu Creek. They were able to mitigate most of the effects on the local paddling community by ensuring paddlers have at least 30 flow days a year on the river. But the Callaghan is too small for a similar mitigation process, according to Bas Brusche, Innergex’s director of public affairs. “It’s build or don’t build.”
This article originally appeared in Rapid, Summer/Fall 2013. Download our free iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read the rest here.
