Basin Stories: Video Series

The Columbia River Treaty, signed in 1964 between Canada and the United States, resulted in the creation of four treaty dams: Hugh Keenleyside, Duncan and Mica in southeastern British Columbia, and Libby in Montana. The dams created the Arrow Lakes, Duncan, Kinbasket and Koocanusa reservoirs, which displaced 2,300 Basin residents.

Twelve Basin Stories videos explore the lives of Basin residents before, during and after the construction of the Columbia River Treaty dams. Hear the experiences and perspectives of people of all walks of life, including displaced residents, dam workers, First Nations people, elected officials, historians and former BC Hydro employees. View historical photos that touch upon everything from building the dams, to agricultural life, to the arrival of electricity.

A Region Formed

Agricultural Life

Shifting Ecosystems

Transportation

The Promise of Electricity

Building of the CRT Dams

Moving Lives – Part 1

Moving Lives – Part 2

Moving Lives – Part 3

Moving Lives – First Nations

Flooding and the Wild River

Economy and Commerce

Look how far we've come together (2020-2023)

Latest Stories

12 ways to reduce waste this holiday season

Tips on how to minimize your environmental footprint this holiday season.

Trail Skills Centre Expands

The Trail Skills Centre has a new, vibrant home in downtown Trail, and are poised to continue helping people improve their career prospects.

Delivering food amid growing need

The Trust is helping 39 food banks, First Nations and Métis organizations across the Basin this holiday season.

A centre upgrades its lights to benefit Golden seniors

The Golden Seniors Community Centre’s future is bright thanks in part to recent lighting upgrades to the facility.

Bats get a new room to roost

Twelve species of bats call the Basin home, such as the Yuma myotis and endangered little brown myotis, and fulfill important functions in ecosystems like wetlands and forests, including consuming a significant number of insects.

Marysville Falls Walkway revitalized

The Marysville Falls Walkway, a popular recreation resource for Kimberley and Marysville residents and visitors, has been lovingly revitalized by the Rotary Club of Kimberley, creating better access for everyone.

Sparwood Food Bank finds a forever home

Dedicated to serving the needs of their community, this spring the Sparwood Food Bank needed to find a new location fast. With support from the Trust, the food bank has found a permanent home to call their own.

Powering Fauquier’s Future

The Fauquier Community Club has taken action to upgrade its well-used community hall, ensuring it’s prepared for future emergencies while reducing its environmental footprint and operational costs.

A wetland gets vital attention

Restoring, protecting and speaking up for the land is at the heart of a five-year project being implemented by the Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation, focused on the northern portion of Shottanana Lake.

Rotary Lakeside Park in Nelson becomes more accessible

This summer, the Rotary Club of Nelson installed a long, blue path that leads to the lake, suitable for people in wheelchairs, or even families with strollers.

Ready, set, prevent

Organizations throughout the Basin are implementing a variety of strategies to manage wildfire risk. These proactive measures aim to prevent wildfires when possible and respond effectively to contain and extinguish them quickly, thereby minimizing damage and enhancing community resilience.

Basin groups make climate-positive moves

Groups of all sizes are acting now to make the Basin more resilient to climate change while mitigating and adapting to its impacts.