[8] The river's long history and importance have led to conservation efforts by different organizations for some of the various mammals, birds, fish, and plants.

The Coquitlam River spans a total of 18 km from the dam to its outlet and receives sediment and water from 30 tributaries.

[6][16] The Coquitlam River is a part of the Fraser Lowland ecosection and Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone.

[10][17] This riparian habitat includes a variety of vegetation from evergreens such as western red cedars to deciduous black cottonwoods.

This forested area provides cover for animals such as black-tailed deer and racoons within the urban landscape in the lower reaches of the river.

[7][9] These salmon are a critical part of this ecosystem, providing a source of food for species such as black bears and bald eagles.

kʷikʷəƛ̓əm translates to "Red fish up the river" in reference to an early sockeye salmon species that once spawned in Coquitlam Lake.

The first dam was built at the mouth of Coquitlam Lake in 1892 to provide a source of drinking water for the growing colony of New Westminster.

[26] The Coquitlam Lake dam continues to provide power to the residents of Metro Vancouver and is owned and operated by the provincial energy authority, BC hydro.

[27] The flow reduction caused by the dam and the water diversion to Buntzen Lake affects fish and wildlife in the river and surrounding riparian zone.

The barrier created by the dam restricts migration between the upper and lower parts of the watershed, which impacts salmon species in particular who used the lake as a hatching site.

[12] There is a protected Wildlife Management Area found on the north side of the Coquitlam and Fraser Rivers confluence.

[10][13] In 2014, a Species at Risk project was completed and both the great blue heron as well as the blue-listed red-legged frog were identified along the Coquitlam River.

Red-legged frogs were observed in the upper reaches, however possible breeding habitat was also identified and recommended as a viable location for restoration.

Due to the sensitive nature of this amphibian, it was also recommended to avoid pond draining and ditch cleaning during breeding times.