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Ms. Que Banh Oct 22, 2024

The #KoksilahRiver, Xwulqw'selu Sta'lo', #Watershed is located south of Duncan on #VancouverIsland and lies within the traditional territories of #Cowichan Tribes, #Malahat Nation and other #FirstNations.

The #Koksilah River originates on the slopes of Waterloo Mountain, southwest of #ShawniganLake. It flows eastward for approximately 44 km before discharging into the Cowichan/Koksilah estuary. The watershed area is approximately 302 square kilometres. The main tributaries of the Koksilah River are Fellows Creek in the west, and Kelvin, Patrolas, Howie and Glenora creeks, which enter the Koksilah about 4-6 km upstream of the estuary in Cowichan Bay, which it shares with the Cowichan River.

The Cowichan and Koksilah #Rivers were historically connected through side-channels where Duncan is currently situated. #Shhwuykwselu (which translates loosely to “Busy Place”) was a historical connection and intersection between the two rivers where people gathered before continuing up the Cowichan or Koksilah rivers. Today the place name Sh-hwuykwselu is still carried by a small lower tributary of the Koksilah River, and the name #Xwulqwselu is the name of a Cowichan village nearby.

#BCRivers #RiversOfVancouverIsland #BCWatersheds #WaterIsLife #PacificNorthwest #BritishColumbia #Cascadia #PNW #ProtectWatersheds #Nature

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Ms. Que Banh Sep 10, 2024

This low elevation river without a regulation structure (dam) supports over 1,100 water users, including irrigators, dairies, vineyards, and domestic households. The #KoksilahRiver is especially valued for its:

#Cultural & #Spiritual significance: The Koksilah aka #Xwulqwselu #Watershed is central to the identity of the #QuwutsunMustimuhw. A prominent, multi-summit ridge named #Hwsaluutsum (formerly known as #Koksilah Ridge), is central to Quw'utsun Origin stories. Hwsalu-utsum is where the first man, #Syalutsa, fell from the sky. Hwsalu-utsum is the origin or headwaters of several tributaries that flow into the Xwulqw'selu Sta'lo' (Koksilah River); including Wild Deer Creek, Kelvin Creek and Glenora Creek. There are many #SacredPlaces and #CulturalStories associated with this ridge as well as across the entire watershed. On the southern slopes of Hwsalu-utsum the pockets of rare grasslands have important plants with both spiritual and practical uses. The #XwulqwseluWatershed is critically important not only spiritually and for its #OriginStories, but also as an important area for fishing, harvesting plants, and hunting.

#BackroadAdventures #VancouverIsland #water #river #Shawnigan #DayAdventure #DayTrip #PacificNorthwest #ProtectWatersheds #nature #VanIsle #Cascadia #PNW #NaturesPower #WaterIsLife #ProtectWatersheds #ProtectNature #Hydro #RiversOfBC #RiversOfVancouverIsland #Indigenous #FirstNations #Historical #Cowichan

Ms. Que Banh Sep 10, 2024

Part of #KoksilahRiver / #Koksilah #Watershed on South Vancouver Island.

Koksilah River - #XwulqwseluStalo Watershed is located south of #Duncan on Vancouver Island and lies within the traditional territories of #CowichanTribes, #MalahatNation and other #FirstNations.

The Koksilah River originates on the slopes of Waterloo Mountain, southwest of Shawnigan Lake. It flows eastward for approximately 44 km before discharging into the Cowichan/Koksilah estuary. The watershed area is approximately 302 square kilometres. The main tributaries of the Koksilah River are Fellows Creek in the west, and Kelvin, Patrolas, Howie and Glenora creeks, which enter the Koksilah about 4-6 km upstream of the estuary in Cowichan Bay, which it shares with the Cowichan River.

The Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers were historically connected through side-channels where Duncan is currently situated. #Shhwuykwselu (which translates loosely to “Busy Place”) was a #historical connection and intersection between the two rivers where people gathered before continuing up the Cowichan or Koksilah rivers. Today the place name Sh-hwuykwselu is still carried by a small lower tributary of the Koksilah River, and the name #Xwulqwselu is the name of a Cowichan village nearby.