Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, is a charming town nestled on the eastern end of Cowichan Lake. Known in Nitinaht as ʕaʔk̓ʷaq c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣, this town is a mere 27 kilometres west of Duncan, British Columbia, accessible via a scenic highway drive. The town, which was incorporated in 1944, is home to nearly 3,000 residents and is bisected by the Cowichan River, a designated Heritage River.
Lake Cowichan is a gem in the heart of the Pacific Northwest Temperate rainforest, home to some of the world's largest, tallest, and oldest trees outside of California. The town is surrounded by this lush rainforest on all sides, offering breathtaking views and a tranquil environment. Lake Cowichan experiences an oceanic climate, characterized by warm summers and cool winters, making it a year-round destination for nature lovers.
The town of Lake Cowichan is located at the western end of the Trans Canada Trail. Once completed, this trail network will be one of the longest in the world, spanning almost 24,000 kilometres. The nearby communities of Youbou, Mesachie Lake, and Honeymoon Bay, with populations of about 1,000, 800, and 600 people respectively, add to the charm and diversity of the region.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lake Cowichan had a population of 3,325 living in 1,491 of its 1,586 total private dwellings. This represented a 3.1% increase from its 2016 population of 3,226. With a land area of 8.24 km2, the town had a population density of 403.5/km2 in 2021.
Lake Cowichan is one of several towns in the Cowichan Valley with a significant South Asian Canadian community history, primarily of Sikh-Canadian heritage. This community has been a part of the town's fabric for over 130 years, gaining prominence in the forestry industry at local sawmills from the early 20th century until the 1980s. This rich ethnic history adds to the cultural diversity and unique character of Lake Cowichan, British Columbia.
