Cowichan Watershed

From Salish Sea Wiki


schematic of water flow

The Cowichan Basin is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Notes

  • City of Duncan is located in the lower river and historical tidal floodplain.
  • Cowichan Lake is a 27 km natural lake.
  • Watershed forestlands are privately owned, sold by the crown to finance the railway. This affects land use.
  • Highest mean temperature in canada due to aspect and coastal
  • Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group (1993-present) - defined their interim strategic land plan for management of their whole territories.
    • As of 2022 treaty negotiations are ongoing, land was taken without treaty, Canadian truth and reconciliation process is ongoing
  • Cowichan River weir (dam) has been a source of conflict it is the point of water withdrawal for agricultural, city and the Crofton Mill.
  • OUR ecovillage - 25 acre regenerative education center and permaculture farm has been in place since 1999.
  • Cowichan Watershed Board - network of groups in watershed.