Working Together to Save Water in the Koksilah Watershed

The Koksilah (Xwulqw’selu) River has its source in wetlands and small lakes on the slopes of Waterloo Mountain, southwest of Shawnigan Lake, and flows mostly eastward, through the traditional territories of the Quw’utsun and Malahat Peoples, to join the Cowichan (Quw’utsun) River before flowing into the estuary at Cowichan Bay. It is the main source of water for fish, wildlife, and human uses - everything from homes and gardens, to farm irrigation for food-growing, to recreation - in the 300 square kilometre watershed.

As snowpack lessens, replaced by heavy winter rains, and summer drought conditions increase in the face of climate change, the Koksilah’s summer flow levels are more and more affected. In August 2019 provincial biologists determined that flow levels were insufficient for critical salmon habitat. On August 16th, a Ministerial Order to stop using water was issued to surface and groundwater licensees and unlicensed groundwater users to protect fish populations. The order was repealed on September 18th when river flows increased.

Since then, summer flows in the Koksilah have continued to be low and salmon in the watershed remain at risk. Summer months are also when demand on the river is highest. Balancing the needs of humans and other species remains challenging.

The Koksilah Watershed Drought Response Working Group was established in the fall of 2019 as a forum for organizations working in the community on watershed stewardship and land management to communicate regularly with each other and the province about drought conditions and responses. The group, working in relationship with Cowichan Tribes, includes representatives from provincial Ministries of Forests and Agriculture; Water Survey of Canada; the BC Dairy Association, other farming groups and local farmers; Mosaic; the Cowichan Watershed Board and the CVRD; and nonprofits like the Cowichan Station Area Association’s Koksilah working group, and the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre (CENC).

The drought response working group’s purpose is to: 1) communicate and build understanding between sectors; 2) learn together and increase our collective understanding of the Watershed; 3) educate the broader community and communicate accurate information; 4) provide decision makers with accurate information and a diversity of perspectives; and 5) support long-term planning initiatives and effective collective responses. In the Koksilah, the CENC’s “Conserving and Protecting Fresh Water for a Climate Resilient Future” Eco-Action project is focused on engaging youth in water conservation through hands-on riparian restoration, community awareness-raising, and projects with residents that directly reduce water use.

In the summer of 2019, we co-hosted a community conversation on water conservation with the Cowichan Watershed Board and Regional District Area-E Director Nicholson at the Hub in Cowichan Station. This event also kicked off a series of water audits with household gardeners living in the Koksilah Watershed led by permaculturists Jason Greenwood and 17-year-old Sierra Robinson. Then an audited property was chosen for a water conservation “Permablitz” led by Jason and Sierra working with a Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians’ youth team to build a large water-saving hügelkultur garden bed.

Summer of 2020 found us back in the Koksilah continuing with household water audits and refurbishing a home drip irrigation system to save more water. In September we gathered local volunteers together in a field by the Hub in Cowichan Station, safely Covid-distanced, and took this community photo - Yes, those are people lying on the ground – to send this message: If Koksilah householders and gardeners reduce water use by 50% it will make a huge difference!

In the Spring we held a handson drip irrigation workshop for Koksilah residents wanting to learn to install their own drip irrigation systems and reduce their water footprints to match the heroic efforts of local farmers who are using watersaving irrigation technology and scheduling to reduce water use. Another drip irrigation workshop is planned later this summer.

Protecting our freshwater ecosystems, salmon habitat and drinking water in the face of ongoing climate disruption is increasingly challenging – and something we can do by coming together as a community. You can make a difference in your own home by switching to drip irrigation in your garden, fixing leaky taps and hoses, and planting rain gardens, native plants, and drought tolerant gardens. Join a local conservation group and talk to your kids and your neighbours about the importance of conserving water!

Sierra Harvey and Jane Kilthei Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

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