Cowichan Watershed Board

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • YouTube
MENUMENU
  • About
    • Indigenous Co-governance
    • Our Principles
    • Board Members
    • Staff Team
    • Non-Profit Society
    • Supporters (Coming Soon)
    • Contact Us
  • Targets
    • Water Quality
    • Estuary Health
    • Salmon Sustainability
    • Wise Water Use
    • Watershed IQ
    • Water Flows
    • Riparian Plants
    • Target Working Groups
  • Projects
    • Koksilah Low Flow
    • Twinned Watersheds Project
      • Riparian Plants
      • Indigenous Flows
      • Fish Habitats
      • Big Dancing Fish
    • Weir Ready
      • Weir Ready FAQ
    • River Cleanup (Coming Soon)
    • Speakers Series
    • Past Projects (Coming Soon)
      • Water Challenge (Coming Soon)
      • Superheroes (Coming Soon)
  • Library
    • Board Meetings
    • Governance Documents
    • Maps
    • Media
    • Presentations
    • Videos
    • Reports
      • CWB Reports
      • Other Reports
    • All Library Items
  • Latest News
You are here: Home / Cowichan River primed for pumping and counting

Cowichan River primed for pumping and counting

Susan Down, Local News Eye Cowichan, September 2, 2016

Despite the recent rainfall, the low flow of the Cowichan River is still a concern as local crews prepare to install pumps while fisheries scientists plan to set up a salmon-counting fence.

Catalyst is continuing preparations for the first-ever pumping event on the river, a dramatic emergency measure to keep spawning salmon healthy and ensure continued operations at the Crofton pulp mill during a drought year. The 20 pumps are set to arrive Sept 12 with pumping to begin about Sept 20.

The project is estimated at $500,000 with another $150,000 worth of electricity used if the pumps run for the allotted 49 days. The switch from last year’s plan to go with diesel-powered pumps, means the whole project will cost about half the $1.3 million of the 2015 estimate – all paid by Catalyst. (video from last year)

In addition to the permit required from the provincial government, Catalyst has a second permit from DFO to salvage Vancouver Lamprey (see previous story) in Lake Cowichan, considered a species at risk. See permits on Catalyst website

Cowichan Watershed Board volunteers fill another truck with garbage during the Aug. 27 Cowichan River clean-up, held annually.

Meanwhile, further down the river, last-minute DFO funding has come through allowing the Allenby Road chinook counting fence to be installed again this year. The fence diverts salmon to a narrow channel where underwater cameras record the movement. A joint project with the Cowichan Tribes, the fence is staffed 24 hours a day, providing more than 500 person-days of employment. A white board provided the public with the most recent numbers on fish activity. The fence will operate from Sept. 19 to Oct. 28, says DFO stock assessment biologist Steve Baillie.

Canada is required to track indicator stocks (the Cowichan fall chinook salmon is considered an indicator of the health of the lower Georgia Strait area) as part of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Cowichan chinook data is also critical as the basis for the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Salish Sea Marine Survival Project (SSMSP).

A new tracking device – the passive induced transponder (PIT) tag detection – being tested by the BC Conservation Foundation and PSF could ultimately replace the counting fence after several years of overlapping data.

Finally, there is a bit of good news pending for fishermen: now that water temperatures have dropped, the ban on sport fishing in the Cowichan River is expected to be lifted Sept. 16.

Source

Like Us On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

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

Sign up for E-News!

Board Meeting Notifications

Event Notifications

CWB Website

Home
About Us
Contact
Cowichan Basin Water Management Plan
Documents & Presentations
Privacy
Terms

Targets

Water Quality
Estuarine Health
Salmon Sustainability
Water Use
Watershed IQ
Water Supply
Riparian Area Protection

Cowichan Watershed

Introduction
Cowichan Lake
Quamichan & Somenos Lakes
Cowichan Estuary
The Weir

Logo Email

info@cowichanwatershedboard.ca

Mailing Address
4335 Riverside Road
Duncan, BC, V9L 6M8

Copyright © 2023 Cowichan Watershed Board - All Rights Reserved. | Design by MAC5 | Maintained by Shawn DeWolfe Consulting

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