Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Madrone Environmental Services Ltd. 2013. The Cowichan: A Canadian Heritage River, 10-year monitoring report (2003-2013). Prepared for Cowichan Valley Regional District.
Organization Cowichan Valley Regional District
URL http://www.cowichanstewardship.com/uploads/1/4/4/5/14453984/cowichan_river_decadal_monitoring_report_final.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords Flowing 47 km from Cowichan Lake easterly to Cowichan Bay, the Cowichan River is first
and foremost part of the traditional territory of the Cowichan First Nation. They have lived
on its banks, plied its waters, used and cared for its resources for thousands of years. In
recent history the river has become renowned for excellent fishing, natural beauty,
whitewater recreation in the winter and swimming/tubing in the summer.
The main stem of the river was designated as a Canadian Heritage River in 2003. Under the
Canadian Heritage Rivers program, it is the responsibility of managing jurisdictions to
prepare a ten-year monitoring report to ensure that the river continues to possess the
outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values for which it was designated. This
report provides a chronology of events of the last 10 years and examines the condition of
the natural, cultural and recreational values for which the river was designated. Changes
and threats to the values are documented. The study reports on the Canadian Heritage
River System Integrity guidelines and provides an update on the action items from the
management plan entitled “Managing the Cowichan River as a Canadian Heritage River”
(2003).
Like many rivers near urban centres, the Cowichan River is somewhat vulnerable to the
impacts of human population growth and the accompanying potential for habitat loss and
degradation due to land use changes, pollution and invasive species. Climate change
predictions forecast changes to water flow regimes, water temperatures, and a rise in sea
level with potential impacts to the Cowichan River estuary.
Further investigation into its cultural heritage values is bringing more evidence to light. For
the most part, recreational values have remained intact and recreational activities have
been steadily increasing. A major exception involves fishing-related cultural and
recreational values. Both Cowichan Tribes food fishery and recreational fisheries have
suffered from declining Chinook returns that have resulted in seasonal closure of the river
to fishing.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island South
Sub-watershed if known Cowichan
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email