Skip to content

River spills its banks in Lake Cowichan

Flooding common in the area
9525399_web1_23844604_10212731374071161_2470255018561567226_n
You’ll need flippers, or at least some sturdy gumboots, if you want to get across Saywell Park anytime soon. (Marg McGillis photo)

For old-timers around Cowichan Lake it comes as no surprise during these heavy November rains that the mighty Cowichan River has spilled its banks and resulted in various spots around town flooding.

Town public works superintendent Nagi Rizk said Friday that it’s an annual event.

“It’s nothing unusual really,” he said. “It depends who you ask but for the old-timers around town, it’s typical. The river is high. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

The Town of Lake Cowichan is offering sandbagging materials but those who wish to have them need to call public works ahead of time.

“We let them have the sand and the bags and they can fill them up themselves,” he said.

The Saywell Park and Nelson areas, and spots along Riverside Drive always seem to flood.

“We can’t sandbag the whole town. There’s nothing we can do,” Rizk said.