Cowichan Watershed Board

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"Partnerships are so important. They build trust and understanding, which can open closed doors." -- Chief William Seymour, Cowichan Tribes, CWB Co-Chair (2018)
 

"Relationship-building takes time and sincere commitment, something I hope we can all commit to, as we create a community together. " -- Mayor Jon Lefebure, Cowichan Valley Regional District Chair, CWB Co-Chair (2018)

Board, partners, staff - Jan 2023

Cowichan Watershed Board members, partners, and staff at "Setting the Course" planning and governance workshop, Jan 2023. Photo B Hetschko

The Cowichan Watershed Board is a partnership between Cowichan Tribes First Nation, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District.  It exists to provide leadership for sustainable water management and to protect and enhance environmental quality and the quality of life in the Cowichan and Koksilah watersheds and adjoining areas.

It does this by partnering with government agencies and stewardship organizations in the pursuit of seven "targets" for watershed health. The targets are aspirational goals derived from the Cowichan Basin Water Management Plan (the Plan). These targets are currently being reviewed and updated by the relevant Target Working Groups and the Board in light of progress made to date, and changes and challenges that have emerged over the past decade. 

The Board is co-chaired by the Chief of Cowichan Tribes First Nation, and the Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, with 10-12 other members appointed jointly by those partners, and including nominees from the Federal and Provincial Governments.

The Board normally meets on the last Monday of every month from 9:30am-11:30. Locations vary, including online and in person venues, so please refer to the meeting agenda for the location that month. Click here for meeting agendas.

Quw'utsun Community member in dry Cowichan River Bed. Photo: P Jefferson

In 2019, the Board set its top priority as addressing the growing need for increased water storage in Cowichan Lake to mitigate the low river flows during longer, drier summer/fall seasons now common in our changing climate.  Working closely with Cowichan Lake and River Stewardship Society, the Board has been working to improve public understanding of the issues, the consensus to start planning for a new weir, and the consequences of doing nothing. For the most current information, visit the CVRD's project website www.cowichanlakeweir.ca 

Chief Lydia Hwitsum and Minister Nathan Cullen sign S-xats-thut tst (We agree.) May 2023. Photo by Genevieve Singleton

Another priority project of the Board over the past few years has been to support Cowichan Tribes and the Province of BC in the scoping and planning for a Watershed Sustainability Plan to address water challenges in the Xwulqw'selu/Koksilah watershed. For more on this, please visit koksilahwater.ca. 

Update: On May 12 2023, Cowichan Tribes First Nation and the Province of British Columbia celebrated the signing of a precedent-setting Agreement (S-xats-thut tst). The Xwulqw’selu Watershed Planning Agreement builds on three years of government-to-government work by Cowichan Tribes and the Province and launches a Watershed Planning process. This will be the province’s first Water Sustainability Plan developed under the Water Sustainability Act, and will address the ‘whole of watershed’ needs – those of the flora, fauna, land, and the communities that depend on the watershed – in the development of long-term water solutions.  Read the media release here.

Annual Reports

  • 2022 Final
  • 2021 Final
  • 2020  Draft
  • 2019 Final 
  • 2018 Final 

Governance Guides

  • Pathways and Partnerships: A Framework for Collaboration and Reconciliation in the Cowichan Watershed, Sept 2018
  • CWB Governance Manual Version 3- Sept  2018
  • Cowichan Watershed Board Announcement, Jan 2010

Business Plans

  • 2023 Final
  • 2022 Final
  • 2021 Final
  • 2020 Final 
  • 2019 Final

Watershed Reports

  • Koksilah Watershed Sustainability Plan Steering  Committee Summary and Recommendations, 2022
  • Cowichan Water Use Plan 2018
  • Cowichan Basin Water Management Plan, March 2007

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Upcoming Events

Poster- Koksilah Community Info - June 6 2023

Koksilah Community Info Night. Click image to register. Free. Online. All welcome.

Click image for Board Meeting Agenda Packages

2023 CWB Members

2023 Cowichan Watershed Board members. Click image for Board Meeting Agenda Packages

Cowichan Lake Weir Updates (Click image)

Final Design Concept image

Cowichan Lake Weir Updates (Click image)

Why Fish Need Water

Latest News

  • Speakers Series: Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) Watershed Planning
  • Cowichan Tribes & Province Sign Historic Agreement Marking the launch of Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) Watershed Planning
  • Speakers Series: Dr. Shannon Waters on Mon April 17th 7pm
  • Photos and Links from “Safeguarding XPey'” Speaker Night

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4335 Riverside Road
Duncan, BC, V9L 6M8

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The Cowichan Watershed Board (CWB) gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the above organizations.