Our Watersheds

What is a watershed?


A watershed is an area of land that takes all water that falls or drains into it, such as rain, snow and ground water, and moves it towards a common outlet, such as a river, basin, or ocean. 

Healthy watersheds are essential to the wellbeing of our communities and ecosystems. As our climate continues to change, understanding how watersheds function and remain healthy is more important than ever. The CVRD is committed to watershed protection, and is taking action through the Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program

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Watersheds in the Cowichan Valley


There are 18 watershed groupings in the CVRD that provide valuable goods and services like drinking water, climate regulation, and fish and wildlife habitat. Fifteen of these watersheds flow to the more developed east coast of Vancouver Island while the other three flow to west coast.

Every Cowichan Valley resident lives in a watershed! To learn more about our watersheds and find which one you live in, visit the Watershed Atlas. Once you've found your watershed, look for the corresponding link and video below to learn more!

Chemainus River and Bonsall Creek Watersheds

Koksilah River Watershed


Cowichan River Watershed

Shawnigan Lake Watershed


Benchland Watershed

Penelakut Island


Yellowpoint, Bush Holland and Stocking Watersheds

Cowichan Estuary Nature Center and Eddy the Eelgrass