Cowichan River and Lake Health

Dear residents, visitors and business owners,

Thank you to everyone – residents, visitors and businesses – for doing your part to conserve water and reduce wastewater during this critical time. Every drop truly makes a difference in protecting the Cowichan River.

The Current Situation
The Cowichan River remains under pressure as hot, dry weather continues. Although late August rain provided some short-term relief, lake levels are once again declining and river flows are being kept lower than usual to stretch the lake’s limited supply. The need for emergency pumps – which move water from the lake into the river when levels get too low to flow naturally – has now been delayed until early October. Still, equipment is already being prepared in case it is needed.

Water quality remains a persistent challenge. River temperatures are staying high at around 24 °C, which is stressful for fish. In some areas, the water is also exhibiting signs of poor quality, making conditions even more challenging for fish and other aquatic life. While algae growth continues to affect the system, mid-river conditions are showing some improvement.

What the Town is Doing to Help

• The Town continues to release treated effluent only at night, when river temperatures are cooler
• Nutrient levels remain within permit guidelines
• No fish mortality has been observed in recent testing
• Staff are monitoring conditions daily
• The Town is working closely with the Cowichan Watershed Board, Cowichan Tribes, and provincial and federal partners to respond as conditions evolved.

How Can You Help? Let’s Make Every Drop Count, Together!

While not the ideal situation, the Town is asking everyone to continue to help reduce wastewater volume in the following ways. Every litre of water that goes down the drain affects our ability to protect the Cowichan River, so we are asking everyone to do their part.

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The Cowichan River — a vital ecosystem for salmon, recreation, and cultural heritage — is facing critical conditions.

Extreme drought, declining lake levels, and aging infrastructure are creating unprecedented challenges. In 2023, the river suffered a catastrophic fish die-off of an estimated 75,000–80,000 juvenile salmon. This year, conditions are worsening. River temperatures are approaching 25 °C — a threshold that puts fish survival at extreme risk.

To protect the river and the community, the Town of Lake Cowichan is taking urgent measures, including restricting treated effluent releases to nighttime hours when river temperatures are lower. Staff continue to monitor the situation daily and are preparing for emergency responses if conditions deteriorate further.

What This Means for You:

• Every litre of water used in homes, businesses, and recreation affects the river’s ability to recover.
• Reducing wastewater volume is critical to preventing further harm.
• Everyone — residents, visitors, businesses, and governments — must work together to protect this essential resource.

For any questions or comments regarding this notice, please reach out to publicnotices@lakecowichan.ca

For any questions or comments regarding this notice, please reach out to publicnotices@lakecowichan.ca

Dear residents, visitors and business owners,

The Cowichan River is a crucial ecosystem for salmon, recreation and the region’s cultural identity. However, the river is currently under serious threat.

The Situation

As our community is aware, in 2023, the river saw a catastrophic fish die-off of between 75,000 and 80,000 juvenile fish when extreme drought and low flows created the perfect storm of lethal conditions.

This year, conditions are worsening as declining lake levels continue to place growing pressure on both the river and the infrastructure that supports our community, creating another perfect storm of challenging conditions.

River temperatures are approaching 25 °C — the danger zone for fish survival, meaning the likelihood of a massive fish die-off isn’t just a possibility but a likely reality as temperatures continue to rise. To reduce risk, the Town has increased its water restrictions level to Stage 3 on August 5, is currently releasing treated effluent only at night, when the river temperatures are lower, and proactively working on developing emergency response protocols along with a long-term solution. (Read more on what the Town is doing on page 2)

How Can You Help? Let’s Make Every Drop Count, Together
While not the ideal situation, the Town is asking everyone to help reduce wastewater volume in the following ways. Every litre of water that goes down the drain affects our ability to protect the Cowichan River, so we are asking everyone to do their part.

Residents

• Keep showers short
• Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
• Turn off the tap when lathering your hands or brushing your teeth
• Flush responsibly
• Only run full dishwasher loads
• Compost food scraps instead of using a garburator
• Turn off decorative water features
• Limit lawn watering

Visitors

• Take shorter showers
• Turn off taps
• Reuse towels and linens
• Limit laundry
• Use biodegradable products
• Dispose of greywater properly
• Don’t litter, dump or leave sunscreen or food in or near the river

Businesses

• Fix leaks and drips quickly
• Install low-flow features
• Delay non-essential water use
• Only run dishwashers when full
• Offer linen and towel reuse options in accommodations
• Limit water-intensive items like decorative fountains
• Display water-saving signage in bathrooms and guest areas

What the Town is Doing to Help

The Town is working closely with the Cowichan Watershed Board and provincial and federal government partners to monitor conditions and ensure cohesive responses.

Town staff are monitoring the situation daily, adjusting operations as needed and preparing for all scenarios, including drastic emergency measures. The system being used to monitor the Cowichan River is the best in the country, but we are still preparing for the next steps, including:
• Triggering emergency protocols including potentially calling a local state of emergency
• Exploring new containment measures
• Planning for longer-term adaptations

We encourage the Province and regional stakeholders to work with us to explore a flexible solution that balances ecological protection, regulatory compliance and what’s realistically possible for a small community under these challenging conditions.

We are also calling for:
• Expedited permit processes
• Emergency supports for mitigation
• Accelerated funding for infrastructure upgrades for climate adaptation

How Did We Get Here?
This is not an issue unique to the Cowichan River and Lake. Communities across Canada are facing growing pressure as aging infrastructure meets extreme weather caused by climate change.

In response to the ongoing drought, decisions were made by the province and industry stakeholders to conserve water in the lake for longer-term needs — including regional industry which plays an essential economic role in our community.

At the same time, the Province introduced new wastewater permit requirements tied to the pH levels in the Cowichan River to safeguard the long-term health of the river. These changes were introduced quickly with little input from the Town and without operational support or funding.

The Town of Lake Cowichan has been making steady progress on long-term wastewater system upgrades since 2023 through multi-level government funding. That year, the Town secured a $4.05 million grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program — Green Infrastructure: Environmental Quality Stream, as well as $3.38 million from the Province of B.C. through the same program. The Town has also committed $2.7 million from its own budget to move forward with this critical project. But the reality is that the climate crisis is outpacing our ability to adapt.

Moving Forward
Overcoming this challenge will require ongoing collaboration across all levels of government, industry and community. The Town is committed to doing its part — and we’re asking everyone, including our partners, to do the same.

For the most current information, please visit our Facebook Page and the Lake Cowichan Public Notices.

Sincerely,

The Town of Lake Cowichan

For any questions or comments regarding this notice, please reach out to publicnotices@lakecowichan.ca

Q: What’s happening with the Cowichan River and Lake?
A: The Cowichan River and Lake are facing extreme drought and high temperatures. River temperatures are nearing 25 °C – a lethal range for fish, especially salmon. This mirrors the conditions in 2023, which led to a devastating die-off of over 75,000 juvenile fish.

Q: Is algae bloom a concern for fish health in the River?
A: Yes. Algae bloom is of critical concern to the health of the river. It reduces oxygen levels, which can lead to fish kills, and can harm aquatic insects that fish rely on for food. In recent years, nutrient-driven blooms have been linked to major fish die-offs.

Q: What conditions create Algae Bloom?
A: Algae blooms occur when warm temperatures, low river flow and high nutrient levels come together. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus often enter the river from agricultural runoff, septic systems, sewage outfalls and stormwater during heavy rain.

Q: Is this affecting the Town’s wastewater system?
A: Yes. The Province implemented stricter pH levels for the River. To reduce risk, we are currently releasing only at night when the river is cooler. However, if those pH levels are exceeded, we must immediately stop discharging treated effluent into the river.

Q: Is the water in my home safe?
A: Yes. Your drinking water remains safe and is not impacted by the current flow and discharge restrictions. This issue affects treated wastewater and river health.

Q: Why is this happening now?
A: This is happening from a combination of factors outside of the Town’s control, including:

• Prolonged drought and reduced snowpack have lowered lake inflows.
• River temperatures are critically high.
• The Province introduced new wastewater regulations for the Town with little notice or support.
• Aging infrastructure is under intense pressure from the climate crisis.

Q: Who controls the water flow from the Lake?
A: The Cowichan Lake weir, which controls river flow, is owned and operated by Domtar. The decision to reduce flow levels was made by the Province, following a request from industry stakeholders. The Town of Lake Cowichan does not have control over the weir’s operation.

Q: What is the Cowichan Lake weir and why does it matter?
A: The weir regulates flow from the lake into the river. A modernized weir would allow more water to be stored during the wet seasons and released gradually during dry periods – protecting fish, river ecosystems, drinking water, and local industries.

Q: What is being done to fix this long-term?
A: The Town is investing in critical infrastructure upgrades, with funding from the Federal Government, the Province and the Town’s budget. However, the climate crisis is moving faster than we can build. We urgently need expedited approvals and additional support from our government partners.

Q: Is the Town releasing raw sewage into the river?
A: No. All wastewater is fully treated before being released – and only at night when river conditions are cooler. We are in full compliance with our permits and are closely monitoring the system.

Q: What happens if we can’t release wastewater?
A: We are preparing for worst-case scenarios, including:

• Trucking effluent off-site (expensive and complex)
• Create temporary containment sites
• Declaring a State of Local Emergency

We’re working hard to avoid these steps but are planning for all outcomes.

Q: Is a State of Local Emergency being considered?
A: Yes. If the Town can no longer discharge wastewater safely, we may declare a State of Local Emergency. This should allow access to emergency supports and operational flexibility. This is an act of last resort.

Q: Is this issue unique to Lake Cowichan?
A: No. Across Canada, communities are facing challenges drought levels, other climate extremes, and infrastructure gaps. We are not alone – but we are one of the places feeling the impacts earliest and most acutely.

Q: Who is the Town working with on this?
A: We’re collaborating closely with the Cowichan Watershed Board, which includes:

• The Town of Lake Cowichan
• Cowichan Tribes
• Cowichan Valley Regional District
• Province of B.C.
• Government of Canada
• Industry

Q: What can residents, visitors and businesses do to help?
A: We are all in this together. As of August 5, 2025, the Town has implemented Stage 3 Water Restrictions. Please help by reducing water use and wastewater generation. Here are some actions you can take:

• Residents
  • Keep showers short
  • Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
  • Turn off the tap when lathering your hands or brushing your teeth
  • Flush responsibly
  • Only run full dishwasher loads
  • Compost food scraps instead of using a garburator
  • Turn off decorative water features
  • Limit lawn watering
• Visitors
  • Take shorter showers
  • Turn off taps
  • Reuse towels and linens
  • Limit laundry
  • Use biodegradable products
  • Dispose of greywater properly
  • Don’t litter, dump or leave sunscreen or food in or near the river
• Businesses
  • Fix leaks and drips quickly
  • Install low-flow features
  • Delay non-essential water use
  • Only run dishwashers when full
  • Offer linen and towel reuse options in accommodations
  • Limit water-intensive items like decorative fountains
  • Display water-saving signage in bathrooms and guest areas

Q: Where can I get updates or more information?
A: Visit our website or follow the Town on Facebook for:

• Daily updates
• Water-saving tips
• Wastewater system notices
• Emergency information (if needed)

 

For any questions or comments regarding this notice, please reach out to publicnotices@lakecowichan.ca

For any questions or comments regarding this notice, please reach out to publicnotices@lakecowichan.ca