Cowichan River C


A Glance at By Tammie Liddicoat


owichan River Provincial Park, located on Southern Vancouver Island, encompasses a spectacular balance of natural park values, human heritage and recreational


opportunity. Cowichan, derived from the Coast Salish word “Khowutzun”


meaning “land warmed by the sun” is an area rich in First Nations history. From the earliest times, the river was a central location in the history of the Coast Salish Aboriginal people. As ice formation on this river is rare, the estuary is a wintering area for thousands of waterfowl. Salmon and trout spawn up the river and its tributaries. This provided a rich food source for the people. The river was also used as a significant travel corridor leading to other watersheds and trading opportunities. Today, the Cowichan people continue to use the river and


associated ecosystems for food, clothing, shelter and medicine. The river valley remains a homeland to the Cowichan First Nation and a recreational treasure at the doorstep of nearby communities. In addition to its importance to First Nations people, during the early 1900s the Cowichan River served as a transportation


PORT HARDY PROVINCIAL PARK


corridor to Lake Cowichan for local logging operations. Today, old spring board stumps, remnants of camps and rail lines testify to the area’s important logging history. Established as a provincial park in 1995, the primary role


of Cowichan River Provincial Park today is to protect the natural values associated with a scenic and world-renowned salmon-bearing river. Species here include coho, chinook, chum and steelhead, as well as rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, lamprey, freshwater mussels and the occasional white sturgeon. The river’s riparian environment provides an important wildlife corridor and habitat for wolverine, gray wolf, black bear, cougar, Roosevelt elk, bald eagle, osprey, hawks, owls, and a variety of amphibians and insects. Douglas-fir and western hemlock forest communities are well represented and rare species such as cup-clover, blue-eyed Mary and fawn lily can be observed. Created by varied geological processes, the Cowichan


CAMPBELL RIVER COURTENAY


QUALICUM BEACH PARKSVILLE


TOFINO UCLUELET


NORTH ISLAND CENTRAL ISLAND PACIFIC RIM SOUTH ISLAND


NANAIMO DUNCAN


VICTORIA


river’s topography reflects the area’s glacial past, including depressions and mounds of gravel left behind as the glaciers receded. Viewpoints at Skutz Falls and Marie Canyon showcase this unique geological history. The river is also internationally significant as an established British Columbia Heritage River. In 2003, it became the third B.C. river to receive National Heritage River status. (More information available on the Heritage River here: www.chrs.ca) The park also provides a myriad of recreational opportunities. It boasts a system of trails with links to national, provincial and regional trails. In addition to the numerous hikes and nature walks, from short jaunts to challenging hilly trails, the Cowichan River footpath has been added to the Trans-Canada Trail, providing access to a nationwide expedition. Key sites include the restored 66- Mile and Holt Creek railway trestles along the Trans-Canada Trail.


The park is also a delight for canoeists and kayakers.


V A N C O U V E R I S L A N D P A R K S


S O U T H


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