Cowichan River

Location map of Cowichan River (Cowichan Lake included)

The Cowichan River at Duncan

The Cowichan River ( /ˈkoʊ.ɪtʃən/) is a moderately sized river in British Columbia, Canada. It originates in Cowichan Lake, flowing east towards its end at Cowichan Bay. Its drainage basin is 795 square kilometres (307 sq mi) in size.^[1]

Shortly after exiting Cowichan Lake, the river drops over Skutz Falls, a small waterfall that is often visited when fish are climbing the fish ladder constructed beside the falls. Below the falls, in the summer time, are some great swimming areas. A ways downstream from that the river flows through Marie Canyon, a popular kayaking run. When tubing down the river it is critical to get out and walk around the rapids at Marie canyon, which are not very clearly marked. If you see a yellow sign, get out immediately.

The river is widely considered one of the finest trout fishing streams in British Columbia. The Cowichan River is the centre of a provincial park, the Cowichan River Provincial Park, on southern Vancouver Island. The park area is home to hundreds of animal species: small and large mammals, including the native Vancouver Island ermine, an endangered species, and more than two hundred species of birds.

Cowichan River is a popular tourist destination. Traveling down the river in inflatable tubes is a popular activity. Unfortunately, many humans discard alcoholic beverage containers into the river. The environmental influences of bio-degrading aluminum cans is adverse.

The Cowichan River was nominated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1999 and designated in 2003. The river is also the namesake of Cowichan Herald Extraordinary at the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

See also

• Cowichan Valley
• Cowichan Tribes
• Lake Cowichan
• Cowichan Lake
• Cowichan Bay

References

1. ^ "Cowichan River". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/4085.html. 

Coordinates: 48°46′N 123°38′W / 48.767°N 123.633°W / 48.767; -123.633