DUNCAN - The lake just off Tzouhalem Road in Cowichan Bay is actually a field.

It is part of a flood-plain system designed to keep water from spilling into neighbourhoods around the Cowichan Valley.

A levee system built in the 1960's was built as added insurance.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District says the levee system didn't fail. Rather it was a combination of factors, including heavy rain and melting snow that led to Friday's severe flooding.

The Mayor of North Cowichan says new development in Duncan, including the sports field near the hardest hit neighbourhood, did not contribute to the flooding. In addition to a temporary levee - several pumps are on standby - but the regional district and emergency officials say they don't expect a repeat of last week's so-called perfect storm.