Downstream: The Discourse investigates solutions for Cowichan watershed

Community members tell us that they are very concerned about threats to Cowichan water systems, including droughts, flooding, logging, development, pollution and climate change. That’s why we’re investigating how the Quw’utsun and Xwulqw’selu watersheds have changed, and what solutions exist for a healthy and resilient future.

Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels standing behind a microphone at Cowichan River Day.
In photos: Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ Skweyul celebrates the unifying power of a heritage river
Community members reflected on the river’s role in bringing people together for stewardship and knowledge sharing.
A birds-eye view of the Cowichan estuary.
‘They don’t think we know what we’re doing’: Plan to remove portion of dike at Cowichan estuary rejected by land commission
Advocates for the Cowichan Estuary Restoration Project call on province to align policies with reconciliation.
A group of people stand next to a pile of waste collected during the Cowichan River cleanup
Volunteers prepare to ‘welcome the salmon home’ with annual Cowichan River cleanup
Annual river cleanup brings community together to protect watersheds and prepare for the salmon’s return.
A river runs through a forest with fallen trees about it.
A ‘death trap’ along the Cowichan River could hold new hope for fish
June will be a critical month for the Cowichan River as water levels drop.
A photo of a marsh in the Cowichan estuary with a mountain in the background.
First person: Indigenous agriculture and the Cowichan Estuary Restoration Project
Jared Qwustenuxun Williams shares the importance of revitalizing Indigenous agriculture in the Cowichan Estuary.
Della Rice Sylvester calls people together at Quw'utsun Sta'lo' Skweyul (Cowichan River Day). She is wearing a cedar hat and has arms in the air as a crowd gathers behind, on the riverbank.
Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ Skweyul honours the river and inspires stewardship
Community members gathered along the bank of the Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ (Cowichan River) to celebrate it and learn how to care for it.
A wide vista of a blue lake surrounded by green trees and a mountain
Q&A: How do wildfires impact our watersheds?
A conversation with Cowichan-based ecologist Erik Piikkila.
Students and adults kneel around a long brown piece of paper laid on the ground and colour on it with crayons.
Community project honours 84,000 fish that died in Cowichan River
Project 84,000 brings together community and art ‘for the love of water and fish.’
About 20 people pose for a group photo, with a lake and weir infrastructure in the background
Cowichan weir funding announcement celebrates collaboration and partnership
‘Working together, we can adapt to these changes and ensure a more positive future for our river, our salmon, our people and future generations,’ said Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels.
Paper Excellence Canada move water out of Cowichan Lake and into the Cowichan River
‘The water will just be gone’: Urgent calls to support Cowichan Lake weir
If weir construction doesn’t start soon, the Cowichan River could go dry in the summer, local experts say.
Dikes along the Cowichan estuary are seen in this photo.
Cowichan estuary project surfaces questions from community
The Discourse reached out to Cowichan Estuary Restoration Project partners to learn more about it and its benefits and costs.

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