 |
| Original News Release |
|
| Original News Release |
|
|
|
·
The
Cowichan River on Vancouver Island flows 47 km from mountain-ringed
Cowichan Lake through forests and fields to a large ocean estuary at Cowichan
Bay.
·
Cowichan, derived from the Coast Salish
word ‘Khowutzun’ means “land warmed by the sun” and ice formation on the river
is rare.
·
The
estuary is a wintering area for thousands of waterfowl, and salmon and trout
spawn up the river and its tributaries. This provided a rich food source, and
the river was a central location in the history of the Salish Aboriginal
people.
·
Nominated to the
Canadian Heritage Rivers System, the Cowichan has long played an important role
with local First Nations. The area has a rich and diverse cultural history for
the Cowichan Tribes and contains archaeological sites and important areas for
traditional sustenance and spiritual use.
·
Today, the river valley is a homeland to
the Cowichan First Nation and a recreational treasure at the doorstep of nearby
communities. A footpath along its entire length and a park along 20 km of
the river allow access to fishing, swimming, tubing and canoeing.
·
The Cowichan River
Provincial Park protects Douglas fir and western hemlock forests and rare wild
flowers. A Garry oak stand in the park may be the most westerly in Canada.
·
Wildflowers such as the
endangered cup-clover have been recorded near Skutz Falls.
·
River-oriented
recreation activities include wild salmon and steelhead fishing, swimming,
kayaking, tubing and picnicking. Trail-based recreation activities include
hiking, horseback riding, biking, wildlife viewing and nature appreciation.
·
The historic
20-kilometre Cowichan River Trail and the recently completed Trans Canada Trail
(with refurbished trestles), provides access for hikers, bikers and equestrians.
·
During the early 1900s,
the river also served as a transportation 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.
·
The natural and cultural
treasures protected within this area have earned it both BC Heritage River and
Canadian Heritage River status.
-30-
|
contact: |
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of the Environment 819 997-1441
|
Communications Director Ministry of Environment 250 387-9973
|
|
|
Field Unit Superintendent Parks Canada, Coastal British Columbia 250 363-3511
|
Communications Manager Khowutzun Development Corporation 250 746-8350
|
|
Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
||
