Hoy Trail

Salmon Talk Comes to Seniors at Parkwood Manor

Robbin and Anne are both board members and volunteers of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

On November 1, Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) volunteers, Robbin Whachell and Anne Woosnam, brought the wonders of the local ecosystem to Parkwood Manor in Coquitlam. Engaging residents who live adjacent to Hoy Creek, the duo led a lively and informative discussion about the life cycle of salmon, the significance of their presence in the watershed, and how they contribute to the health of the local environment.

Residents of Parkwood Manor, many of whom regularly stroll along Hoy Trail and cherish the tranquil scenes of the stream, enthusiastically participated, asking insightful questions and sharing their observations. The talk not only deepened their understanding of the natural world surrounding them but also highlighted the close connection between the community and the watershed.

HSWS extends its sincere thanks to the management of Parkwood Manor for facilitating this enriching 1-hour session. We are thrilled to have already received an invitation to return next year and look forward to fostering this connection once again.

Through stewardship, community outreach, education, and advocacy, we are dedicated to protecting the Hoy/Scott Watershed, and it is opportunities like these that help strengthen our mission.

Anne answers questions after the talk.




Tackling Invasive Touch-Me-Nots in Our Watershed

Near the Hoy Trail head by Douglas College.

On July 13 and 24 a few volunteers from the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society gathered to take on an important task: managing the spread of an invasive plant species known as the Smallflower Touch-me-not (Impatiens parviflora). Originally from Asia, this plant has made its way into our local ecosystem, where it poses a threat to native flora and the overall health of our watershed.

Armed with gloves and a commitment to stewardship, our team focused on removing the invasive Touch-me-nots from the area. Fortunately, the roots of this species grow close to the surface, making it relatively easy to pull out and remove. Our efforts were met with success, thanks to the hard work of Anne, Adela, and Robbin, who put in valuable volunteer hours to help protect our local environment.

The Smallflower Touch-me-not is a fast-growing plant that can outcompete native vegetation, especially in moist, shaded areas like the understory of our forests. Its rapid spread disrupts the balance of our local ecosystems, impacting the plants and animals that depend on them. To learn more about this invasive species and the challenges it poses, visit the BC Invasive Species Council’s page on the Smallflower Touch-me-not here.

Efforts like this invasive plant removal are crucial in maintaining the health of our watersheds. By preventing the spread of invasive species, we help protect the native plants that are vital to our local ecosystem.

Thank you to our volunteers for your time and effort! Every plant pulled is a step toward a healthier, more balanced environment.

Hoy Trail north of the rearing pond on July 24.

Working with Park Spark (City of Coquitlam) along with Broombusters and the Talitha Koum Society on June 28, we learned about Touch-Me-Nots for the first time. We also pulled English Ivy at this location north of the hatchery off Pinewood.

Hoy Creek Trail Clean with Talitha Koum Society

Thanks to our friends from the Talitha Koum Society who helped with a trail clean by Hoy Creek on May 24.

Despite the wet weather, a lot got done!

“We’ve been through this area last fall,” said Robbin Whachell, a director at Hoy/Scott Watershed Society who led the group, “and it’s always disheartening to see the return of all the trash where we once cleaned. This area is so beautiful.”


Talitha Koum Spends Morning Supporting Local Streams

Along Hoy Creek on a beautiful fall day.

Thanks to the ladies from the Talitha Koum Society who put in two hours of community service on November 16, helping us clean the trails and banks of Hoy and Scott Creeks in Coquitlam. They were blessed to see salmon along the way and had glorious sunshine.

The activity was led by Robbin Whachell from the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

Finds included a barbecue, a fire extinguisher, a tap shoe, brake pads, and a package of false eyelashes. There was the usual clothing, bottles, cans, and fast food trash.

Clearing trash along Hoy Trail just north of Barnet Highways.

Along Scott Creek on Runnel Drive.

Native Plants Added to Riparian Area of Hoy Creek

Volunteers of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society planting along Hoy Trail. (Photo: HSWS)

Protecting our riparian area…

During the pandemic, the Hoy Creek Linear Park saw a lot more foot traffic as people enjoyed outdoor spaces. Both 2020 and 2021 provided good salmon returns and viewing was at an all-time high as people traveled from all over to view the returning chum and coho.

With not many event options, viewing salmon was a big draw for many, and the Society noticed the effect on the plants of the riparian area.

Through the support of the City of Coquitlam, after a walk-about to review the trail and many ‘new’ access points to the creek, about 100 native plants were provided for Society volunteers to fill in bald spots.

Fencing was also discussed in the highest traffic areas so plant life can continue to do its part in protecting the stream, and subsequently the salmon.

Learn more about the riparian area.

(Photo: HSWS)

Chum salmon eggs incubating at Hoy Creek Hatchery after two-year lull

Photo: HSWS on Oct. 31 (HSWS Photo)

Last weekend we had a successful couple of days reaching our Chum salmon broodstock quota thanks to hard-working volunteers and with the added help of the Department of Fisheries & Oceans crew who were out on Monday to conduct a field egg take.

The Hoy Creek Hatchery is currently holding almost 27,000 Chum (as a green egg estimate) and thus we’ve concluded our Chum brood collection.

“Looking ahead we’ll be focusing our efforts on Coho broodstock, and will be seining the fish trap pool,” said hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. “With the current weather we've been experiencing, we are hopeful to see some fresh coho push in. “

The weekend forecast is calling for clear skies and cooler temps, and this should help for viewing and hopefully catching coho for broodstock. Coho commonly return from late October to mid-December and are not as easy to spot as the chum.

Chum salmon after egg and milt take for broodstock. Fish were returned to the stream. (HSWS Photo)

“We’ve had a huge turnout for viewing this year,” said society president, Robbin Whachell. “We’re receiving emails and phone calls. Last weekend Hoy Trail there was a steady flow of families and people enjoying the fall colours and salmon-spotting. The salmon did not disappoint and this year we have seen a great increase in returning chum compared to the last two years.”

Those coming out to view salmon should be mindful that bears have been spotted for several weeks off and on in the Hoy Creek Linear Park and around the hatchery. The City of Coquitlam has put out a map showing optimal places to view salmon with tips about bears. Go to coquitlam.ca/salmoncomehome.

The Society’s chum salmon program was reintroduced at the hatchery in 2016, thanks to a grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation in 2015.

Learn more about the salmon we raise HERE. Read our tips for spotting salmon.

Check out other photos and video on our Facebook page.

Eggs being weighed and counted in Hoy Creek Hatchery. (HSWS Photo)

Above, a full grown chum salmon lies dead in Hoy Creek after completing its lifecycle, while the young coho fry swim about. As the body begins to breakdown, its particles will release and nourish other fish life, birds, insects and the riparian area (plants on the banks) of the stream – thus completing a cycle of life.

New signage for Hoy Creek Linear Park

New interpretational signage by Hoy Creek Hatchery providing information about the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

New interpretational signage by Hoy Creek Hatchery providing information about the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

Thanks to the City of Coquitlam for prioritizing the Hoy Creek Linear Park as an area that not only supports the Hoy Creek Hatchery but also gets a lot of foot traffic from those that use the trail to shortcut to Walton Elementary, Douglas College, Pinetree Secondary, or the SkyTrain to name just a few.

The trail supports these connections but is also a beautiful green space for people to get exercise, walk their dogs, or simply unwind and melt into nature.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society had been working with the City discussing updating of the signage but were very surprised as to the end result.

“Not only do we have beautiful trailhead markers so people can now identify entrances to the Hoy Creek Linear Park,” said Society president, Robbin Whachell, “but we love the interpretational signage around the trail closest to the hatchery area and into the deep part of the woods which educate the trail users as to local fauna, fish that live in the stream, forest life, the history of the hatchery, the work of the Society and more.”

New trailhead markers thanks to the City of Coquitlam

New trailhead markers thanks to the City of Coquitlam


Kaleidoscope Arts Festival Visits Hoy Creek Hatchery

Puppeteers exposed and not exposed at the Hoy Creek Hatchery Optimist Rearing Pond on Oct. 3.

City of Coquitlam moved their Kaleidoscope Arts Festival out into the community this year, and Hoy Creek Hatchery was one of the locations for their four community programs on Oct. 3.

Residents experienced arts and culture all taking place at the same time on the same day.

The deck outside the hatchery’s rearing pond was the setting for Stories by the Stream, a story-telling and puppet show with an ecological-theme hosted by J Peachy and friends.

“We really appreciate this opportunity to have our hatchery as a venue,” said the president of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, Robbin Whachell. “Many people are unaware of our location or of the jewel behind Douglas College, the Hoy Creek Linear Park.”

Stories by the Stream was enjoyed in three pre-registered time-slots, in safe physically-distanced small groups.

Maya Uno, the Society’s youth leader stands near the info booth for participants to learn about the local stream keepers in Coquitlam.

Thank you City of Coquitlam for showcasing our location.

Thank you City of Coquitlam for showcasing our location.

Tips on Placing Painted Stones Along Our Trails

Stone in tree along Hoy Trail, Coquitlam

Stone in tree along Hoy Trail, Coquitlam

These have been challenging times with the COVID-19 epidemic. The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society appreciates the pressures put on parents and children to remain active, and we have enjoyed spotting many painted stones along the watershed trails which we began noticing around the Easter weekend.

Since then there has been an increase, and we expect to see more and take delight that families are enjoying the forest while leaving a painted stone behind to be marveled upon by the next passerby.

That said we do find concern in the number of stones now being spotted in our creeks. Please enjoy your walks, and also take this opportunity to teach your children about the wonders and fragility of our ecosystem.

Painted stones and trash collected from Hoy Creek

We’d like to offer a few tips about painted stones that could help our forests and our creek-life:

  • Ensure the paint you use is non-toxic

  • Do not use glitters or sparkles

  • Do not use stickers

  • Place your stone away from waterways. (You may have placed your stone along the trail, but someone may toss it into the creek if it’s a ‘stone’s throw away.’)

If we can ensure we’re all doing our best to protect nature, we’ll get twice as much enjoyment from walking our trails and finding these wonderful stones left by unknown and well-intended woodland fairies!

A stone seen within the creek. This particular stone was removed from a Society volunteer and placed along the trail. It was seen back in the creek two days later.

Enjoy painting stones, but please think of our fish and our environment. Thank you!





Knotweed Along Hoy Trail Requires Proper Treatment to Be Contained

Signs mounted by the City of Coquitlam in the effected area along Hoy Trail

We'd like to thank the unknown citizen/s who took time to work on hacking down, cutting and uprooting the invasive Knotweed along Hoy Trail north of the hatchery and adjacent to Walton Elementary. Unfortunately, what this person/s did not realize is that they were actually making the matter worse, as the plant spreads through root and stem fragments.

We appreciate concerns because Knotweed is one tough invasive!

“Knotweeds’ vigorous rhizome growth can damage concrete walls, pavement, bridge and building foundations, drainage works and flood prevention structures (Global Invasive Species Database 2017), and cause erosion of shorelines. Knotweeds can also affect motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian safety by blocking sightlines and signs along roads, highways, trails, and other transportation routes. Dense thickets can increase concerns about personal security in parks (Yong 2017). They can also be a nuisance for aquatic recreationalists frequenting lakes, streams, or rivers as uncontrolled infestations can impede access.”

The work of uprooting and cutting this plant into pieces was only giving it more opportunity to spread. The city’s parks department was called in to remove the cuttings and roots left in piles along the trail. Knotweed has to be disposed of properly to thwart its growth at the site and potentially elsewhere where it is being disposed to.

“Knotweeds spread by rhizomes, which can extend up to 3 metres deep and 20 metres wide. These expansive rhizomes are much larger than expected for a plant of its size, making knotweeds even more challenging to manage. New plants sprout from fragments of root and stem material. Even very small fragments (0.7 grams or more) of the rhizomes or stems can regenerate, which enables knotweeds to spread very easily and effectively. Buried rhizomes can regenerate from depths of 1 metre or more. One common cause of spread is Best Management Practices for Knotweed Species in the Metro Vancouver Region 5 from unauthorized dumping of cut or dug knotweed in green spaces or natural areas.”

Uprooted and cut knotweed along Hoy Trail.

The Society would like to thank the City of Coquitlam for cleaning up the site and properly disposing of the remains, as well as erecting signs in the area to help educate the public.

Should you have a concern about an invasive within our parks you should contact the City of Coquitlam.

Learn more about the invasive species, Knotweed HERE from the City of Coquitlam. More information at BC Invasives HERE.