Series GR-1236 - Records relating to water works and water power projects

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Records relating to water works and water power projects

General material designation

  • textual record
  • microform
  • cartographic material
  • graphic material
  • multiple media

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the series.

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Reference code

GR-1236

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1915-1953 (Creation)
    Creator
    British Columbia. Water Rights Branch

Physical description area

Physical description

4 reels of microfilm and 1.5 m of maps, plans and photographs

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1909-1979)

Biographical history

The Water Rights Branch was established in 1909. Its name was changed to Water Management Branch in 1979.

The Water Rights Branch reported to the following departments and ministries: Dept. of Lands (1909-1945), Dept. of Lands and Forests (1945-1962), Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975), Dept of Environment (1975-1976), Ministry of the Environment (1976-1978) and Ministry of Municipal Affairs (1978-1979).

The Dept. of Lands was established in 1908 (Department of Lands Act, SBC 1908, c. 31). Before 1908 the agencies responsible for the functions of the Dept. of Lands: (1) the Dept. of Lands and Works (Crown lands management, sales, pre-emptions and leases, lands surveying and mapping, timber inspection, forest protection and log scaling), and (2) the Dept. of Mines (water rights in regards to mining operations).

The Dept. of Lands, headed by the Chief Commissioner of Lands, was given responsibility for public lands and water rights, and all matters connected therewith. (SBC 1908, c. 31, s. 5). These responsibilities included: (1) the management of all public lands, as per the Land Act, (RSBC 1897, c. 113); (2) administration of water rights, as per the Water Clauses Consolidation Act, (RSBC 1897, c. 191) [in 1892 by means of the Water Privileges Act (SBC 1892, c. 47), the government had reserved to itself the right to manage all water resources in the province that were unreserved and un-appropriated as of April 23, 1892]; and (3) land settlement programs for returned soldiers.

In 1909, the enactment of the Water Act (SBC 1909, c. 48) resulted in the creation of the Water Rights Branch of the Dept. of Lands, under the management of the Chief Water Commissioner (re-named Comptroller of Water Rights in 1912). This legislation also resulted in the creation of Water Districts under the management of District Engineers, who would be responsible for management in the field of the Branch’s responsibilities.

In 1945, the Dept. of Lands was renamed the Dept. of Lands and Forests (Department of Lands Act Amendment Act, SBC 1945, c. 45).

Custodial history

Scope and content

This series contains records relating to water works and water power projects. The records consist of International Joint Committee hearings, proceedings before the Comptroller of Water Rights, hearings on the Buttle Lake project before a special committee of the B.C. Legislative Assembly, applications, submissions and briefs, engineering data, technical reports, and specifications. Includes materials pertaining to the Kootenay River reclamation projects of the West Kootenay Power and Light Company, 1929-1950; the Columbia River reclamation project at Golden and Windermere, 1913-1915; the Powell River Company's project at Lois River, 1930; the B.C. Electric Railway Company development at Jordan River, 1929; the Burrard Power Company projects at Stave River and Alouette Lake, 1924; the B.C. Power Commission development of Buttle Lake on Vancouver Island, 1951-1953; and miscellaneous other projects.

Notes area

Physical condition

Map and plan records in M889207 (container 880055-0697) are damaged from water and mould.

Immediate source of acquisition

Transferred from the Water Management Branch, Ministry of Environment, 1982.

Arrangement

Photographs and plans were removed from the records in 1983, transferred to the Visual Records and Map units and reaccessioned. Other photographs and plans were removed from the records after microfilming in 2000. The original textual records were destroyed in 2001. File list records original map and photograph locations as well as microfilmed textual records.

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Restrictions on access

There are no access restrictions.

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General note

Accession number(s): G82-082 (93-7373); M889207; M889010; M90-032, 198303-004.

Conservation

Mould removed from files in M889207 (880055-0697) in 2022.

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Physical storage

  • Box: 913430-1099
  • Box: B14161