"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)
The Cowichan Watershed Board is a collaborative governance 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 originally derived from the Cowichan Basin Water Management Plan (the Plan), but since updated through an ongoing review by the relevant Target Working Groups and the Board.
The Board is co-chaired by the Chief of Cowichan Tribes First Nation, and the Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Up to 14 additional members are appointed by the co-chairs according to the member representation specified in the Governance Manual, and including nominees from the Federal and Provincial Governments.
The Board normally meets on the last Monday morning of every month. 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.
Priority Projects
Cowichan Lake Weir:
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. Please see our Weir Ready project page for more, or visit the CVRD's project website www.cowichanlakeweir.ca
Xwulqw'selu Watershed Planning
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 the Xwulqw'selu Watershed Planning project website: koksilahwater.ca This is a co-governed process by Cowichan Tribes and the Province to plan to "take good care of the Waters and the Earth connected to the Koksilah River." This plan is intended to include 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 about the May 12 2023 Agreement here.
Annual Reports
Governance Guides
Business Plans
Watershed Reports
- Koksilah Watershed Sustainability Plan Steering Committee Summary and Recommendations, 2022
- Cowichan Water Use Plan 2018
- The Cowichan: A Canadian Heritage River. 10-year Monitoring Report (2003-2013)
- Cowichan Basin Water Management Plan, March 2007