The river is one of three primary sources of drinking water for residents of Greater Vancouver, and flows through the Capilano watershed.

Prior to construction of the Cleveland Dam, the Capilano River deposited large amounts of sediment into Burrard Inlet.

A dredge was needed to remove this sediment build-up in order to keep Burrard Inlet open for ship traffic.

Beyond strengthening the salmon stocks from the aftermath of the dam, the hatchery’s work also introduced chinook to the system in an attempt to establish a self-sustaining run.

The river flows through coastal rainforest and, in its lower stretches, follows a granite canyon with walls in excess of 40 metres tall in places.

The alarm system was added in 2021 after two people died as a result of an unexpected increase of water flow.