S-amuna’| Somenos and Kw’amutsun | Quamichan Lakes Clean Water Action project

S-amuna’| Somenos and Kw’amutsun | Quamichan Lakes Clean Water Action project

Water quality in both S-amuna’| Somenos and Kw’amutsun | Quamichan Lake has been a concern for residents since the 1950s. E.coli, septic runoff, sediment, phosphorus and other chemical loading, invasive species, fish habitat degradation, and flooding are ongoing issues for the community.

Both the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society (SMWS) and the Cowichan Community Land Trust (CCLT) are long-standing local environmental conservation and stewardship organizations in the Cowichan Valley. We are working together on the Clean Water Action project, providing public outreach, awareness, and stewardship strategies for the residents of S-amuna’| Somenos and Kw’amutsun | Quamichan Lakes. The Clean Water Action projected is funded through an EcoAction grant from the Government of Canada, as well as through financial and in-kind contributions from Cowichan Tribes, the Municipality of North Cowichan, the Quamichan Watershed Stewardship Society, The Cowichan Watershed Board, the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

 

The SQ Clean Water Action project aims to inform residents about what has been learned in recent water quality surveys and engage local action around improving practices and scaling up restoration of ecologically important riparian areas.

Community residents love these lakes, not only for the important natural habitat and ecological services they provide but also for recreation and well-being. No one wants to see the algae blooms and invasive species impacting these important waterbodies and shorelines.

Come learn how you can be involved in this community action project! Please join us at our community information meeting on February 28th, details below!