Tillicum Narrows
Tillicum Narrows, known as the Canal of Camosack back in the 1800’s is located on the Gorge Waterway in Victoria, BC, Canada. Reversing rapids are caused by the narrow pinch point at Tillicum Narrows where a large amount of tidal water is forced through the narrow passage. Currents have been known to reach up to 9 knots (17km/h) here. 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 narrow crossing. The current bridge is the seventh incarnation.
Geology Of The Gorge Waterway and The Narrows
The Gorge is believed to have started as a fault in the bedrock and made more defined by glacial abbrasion. When the ice melted, a channel was left which was flooded by tides daily (around 12,000 to 9,000 years ago). As the massive glaciers melted (around 9,000 to 4,000 years ago), the colossal weight imposed on the land diminished and actually caused the land to ever so slowly "spring" up! This raised the land above sea level and severed it from the sea. The Gorge was turned into a corridor of small lakes and marshes. Eventually the continued melting caused sea levels to rise and once again flooded the Gorge (around 4,000 to 2,500 years ago). The Gorge remains constantly filled by the sea to this day.
Mythology
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 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. She 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.
Living Around The Rapids and The Dangers
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.
Safety Solutions
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.
Human Influence On The Rapids
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.
Your Mission
E-mail me the applicable answers
1.) What is the year of the Gorge Bridge's construction
2.) How far back does the Tillicum Narrows midden date back to?
3.) OPTIONALTake a picture of you or your group with the narrows in the background. The narrows can be in any state of tidal flow. The more impressive, the better!
Here is a tide table for your timing.
Click here for tide table
4.) What is the approximate width of the narrows? (Metric or imperial is acceptable); Make a waypoint on each shore an measure between them
The Gorge is an inland passage which was carved into solid bedrock by glacial erosion. As sea levels rose around the time Beringia became submerged, the ocean filled this waterway all the way up to the narrows and beyond to Portage Inlet.
