Sea Level Rise

King Tide Photo Project

We love the seashore. We want to live there, play there and put our business close by. This zone is also a place where we have a wide range of critical infrastructure like marinas, bridges and industry, as well an important ecological zone which plays a vital part of the breadbasket of our marine life.

The highest tides of the year are called the King Tides. Rising sea levels will mean that the King Tides of today will be normal tides in years to come. Imagine storms and high tides on top of that with increased erosion, flooding and a slowly shifting shoreline being squeezed up.To get a sense of the impacts on our region, check out the CVRD King Tides Project

You Can Participate

  • Visit the shoreline at high tide
  • Take photos (date and time stamps are useful)
  • Upload your photos to our StoryMap
  • View your photos and those of other Cowichan residents

Sea Level Rise

2018 King Tides

DateTime
Jan. 3
7:00 a.m.
Jan. 4
7:40 a.m.
Jan. 5
8:25 a.m.
Jan. 6
9:05 a.m.
Jan. 7
9:40 a.m.
Jan. 8
10:20 a.m.

Tides vary slightly throughout the region - check tide tables for exact times at your location

Sea Level Rise

Ocean levels will rise as a result of climate change; how fast this will happen is currently unknown. 

  • Melting of the polar ice caps means more water in the oceans
  • Water expands as it warms - warmer temperatures mean higher ocean levels

Coastal communities in BC are planning for an increase in sea levels of one metre by 2100, and two meters by 2200.

SLR graph

The StoryMap

  • Map of areas to be affected by a projected 1m rise in sea level
  • Shoreline Erosion Sensitivity 
  • Suggested photo locations
  • Photos posted by local residents

Resources:

BC Adapts - Coastal Flood Management

CVRD Watershed Atlas 

Projected Sea Level Changes for British Columbia in the 21st Century

Sea Level Rise Adaptation Primer