An estuary is the part of the wide lower course of a river where its current is met by the tides. Estuaries are where salt and fresh water meet. They are rare and important habitats making it imperative we restore and protect them to the best of our ability. They have biodiversity greater than tropical rainforests and sequester carbon at an estimated rate of about 90 times greater than forested sites of equal area. On the coast of British Columbia 80% of marine species use estuaries for some portion of their life cycle. They are also where fresh and salt waters meet so work in an estuary benefits both the fresh water and salt water environments.

The Courtenay River Estuary, second only in importance to the Fraser River Estuary, is a special and unique feature of the Comox Valley. It is one of only eight Class 1 estuaries in British Columbia and provides habitat for 145 bird species (more than 70,000 birds), 218 plant species, 29 fish species (including all five species of pacific salmon) and innumerable species of intertidal animals (clams, worms, bacteria, viruses, etc.).

Another reason the Courtenay River Estuary is especially special is the abundance of well preserved wooden stakes that make up ancient fish traps. Nancy Greene and David Mcgee, who have been studying these stakes for many years, estimate that there are over 150,000 of them pounded into the sediment. We know that indigenous people have lived on the estuary’s shores for thousands of years, obtaining food and shelter in harmony with the natural eco-system. The large aboriginal trap fishery, maintained in the estuary for well over 1,000 years (Nancy and David have carbon dated one stake to be around 1400 years before present), was conducted without depleting the fish resources or habitat.

The Courtenay River Estuary has been severely impacted over the years by industrial activity and changes are required if the estuary’s natural features are to be preserved. The estuary is also geographically divided into four distinct political jurisdictions with no common agreement as to how the estuary should be protected for future generations.

The Estuary Working Group is a subcommittee established by Project Watershed to protect and restore the Estuary. Find out more!