Tillicum Narrows (Canal of Camosack)

 river rapid / white water, interesting place, bridge

Tillicum Narrows known as the Canal of Camosack back in the 1800’s is located on the Gorge in Victoria is the site of a tidal narrows. This 45 foot wide pinch point at Tillicum Narrows where a large amount of water is forced through the narrow passage results in what is colloquially known as a reversing falls. Currents have been known to reach up to 9 knots (17km/h). The tides caused by the moon make massive amounts of water move up and down the gorge and this unique feature makes for white water rapids, waterfalls or a surging channel depending on the water height. A bridge was built here due to the narrows.

This site has been popular for thousands of years to the Songhees first nations people. The narrows are an ancient food harvest area for the Songhees where they would hunt for herring, coho salmon, oysters and ducks. A 4,100 year old midden composed of shells, fish bones, charcoal and scorched rocks can be found under the south end of the Tillicum Bridge. The Songhees have quite a history here. Following the legendary flood so common in many culture’s histories, everything was destroyed and mass starvation was abundant. The legend tells that a little girl named Camossung (Camosun) was transformed into a large boulder by a spirit named Haylas The Transformer and was placed in the bottom of the narrows because she was a picky eater with the food gifts Haylas offered her even though she and her people were starving. Her grandfather too was also transformed into a boulder for not scolding her for the spirit’s charitable gifts.

The reversing rapids used to be more impressive. There used to be a large rock (Camossung) in the narrows which caused water to well up and cause powerful whirlpools and currents. People would jump off the bridge as a recreational activity and too many times the currents would suck people down and drown them. Alcohol was often a factor. My incidents occurred as well from cocky boaters thinking they could ride the rapids. Many were overturned with many not being swimmers and none wearing life jackets. There were incidents of boaters being drawn under at the foot of the falls by the roiling waters.

Many proposals were put forward following the large number of deaths ranging from a metal grate which could be lowered at powerful tides to a lock system to a gong to call for help. Eventually a wooden walkway was built to portage small boats along with life preservers along the railing in case of emergency. Lighting was also added under the bridge as most upsets occurred during the night.

In June 1960, the narrows were changed forever. Robert Southwell in a do-it-yourself job, dynamited Camossung which had plagued his gorge based boathouse for years. Although it took two attempts due to the currents, the result permanently diminished the falls and made the narrows more navigable for pleasure boats. There was mass public outcry from this private action as there were concerns of diminished water levels, increased erosion, destruction of the unique feature and apparently a cracked toilet. The Songhees were also angered as the rock was sacred and believed to have powers and spiritual guidance given to anyone who dove down and clung to it.