Cowichan Tribes is working with community partners to gather data and scope options for a water sustainability plan for Xwulqw’selu Sto’lo (the Koksilah River) watershed. In recent years, summer flow rates have been exceptionally low at times when demand for water (from domestic, agricultural, and industrial users) is greatest. This project includes technical work and analysis to support sustainable, long-term land and water management, in order to restore water flows for fish and water users. This project supports 12 jobs. (Photo: Taylor Roades / Narwhal)

Cowichan Tribes is performing extensive work to rehabilitate the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers by focusing on sediment management and habitat rehabilitation. Work involves removing ~90,000 m3 of sediment across six sites, repairing the Hatchery and old Southside Dikes, excavating and reactivating side channels, and monitoring of sites for flood and drought management. This project supports 41 jobs and is an integral part of Cowichan Tribes’ 5-Year River Management Plan. (Photo: Cowichan Tribes)

The City of Port Alberni is decommissioning its wastewater treatment lagoon and restoring the area as a natural tidal marsh. This project will restore habitat in the Somass estuary, improve wastewater treatment and stormwater management, and support 15 jobs. (Photo: Stephanie Butler / REFBC)

Scw'exmx Tribal Council is conducting water monitoring to track agricultural effluent along the Nicola and Coldwater Rivers. Communities and decision makers will use this data to understand how water quality may be impacted by agricultural activity during the spring freshet. This project will support two jobs. (Photo: Noémi Pomerleau / REFBC)