Location
- Crofton Lake
Timeframe
- April 2026
Project led by
North Cowichan
Description
North Cowichan is undertaking mandatory maintenance for the Crofton Lake dam. This work, which is prescribed by the BC Dam Safety Regulation, includes removing trees and other vegetation growing on the dam, and raising the dam height.
Access to the area, including the unauthorized trail networks around Crofton Lake will be closed for the duration of this work. Notices will be posted at all known entrances to notify the public of the work and area closure.
Project details
- Engineering and environmental consultants are working closely with North Cowichan engineering staff.
- Prior to any tree harvesting, the site will be carefully studied over several days to ensure any nesting birds are not impacted.
- Marketable timber will be sold to recover costs, and remaining debris will be hauled off site.
About the Crofton Lake dam
There are two side-by-side dams located on the east end of Crofton Lake; the saddle dam is north of the main dam.
The dams were originally built in the 1930s to support water supply for Crofton and were upgraded in 1956 to support the new pulp mill. The Crofton mill used the water supply for its operation until the watermain that supplies the mill with water from the Cowichan River was constructed.
The dam is regulated by the provincial Water Sustainability Act and includes a water licence issued under this act. The Dam Safety Program includes safety risk assessments and requires compliance by dam owners to maintain dams to their standards.
The dam provides Richards Creek with consistent flow, in particular during the dry summer months, to support the creekâs fish population.
The Crofton Lake water supply remains as a back up system for the Crofton townsite.
