Native Plants Added to Riparian Area of Hoy Creek

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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.

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(Photo: HSWS)

Coho broodstock collection underway at Hoy Creek Hatchery

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An unmarked coho male (HSWS Photo)

After reaching our quota for chum salmon eggs which are now incubating at Hoy Creek Hatchery, the volunteer team has switched to coho broodstock collection.

On Saturday, Nov. 7 the crew headed up to seine the fish trap pool which is located below the fire hall. On the way up they performed a trail clean.

Eight coho were transported back to the hatchery and placed in the Capilano trough where they will ripen for egg take.

Four of the catch were unmarked males and the other four were hatchery marked females.

NOTE: With current BC Health orders in place, hatchery management has suspended all group activity at this time.

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Youth volunteers seining for coho salmon broodstock in Hoy Creek with hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. (HSWS Photo)

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A hatchery marked (no adipose fin) female coho. (HSWS Photo)

Kaleidoscope Arts Festival Visits Hoy Creek Hatchery

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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.

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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.

Hoy Creek Hatchery Volunteer Activity Returns

Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard explains procedures to new and returning volunteers in front of the rearing pond at Hoy Creek Hatchery.

After the pandemic shut down most of our volunteer work in the spring of 2020, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has sorted out ways to safely get volunteers back to work in small groups in preparation for the 2020 broodstock season.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, Tyler Storgaard began reviewing operational procedures and got new volunteers repairing nets, and cleaning the rearing pond floor, as well as feeding fish.

Rodney Lee has started a spawner survey group which will count salmon in stream once they return. That group is familiarizing themselves with a chosen section of the creek and reviewing their process once the salmon return.

The first Saturday of every month the Society hosts an open house, which provides time for the public to come by, have a tour, and learn about the work of the Society. Robbin Whachell led this area, and several families stopped by, as well as curious walkers who were out enjoying Hoy Trail.

The society is always looking for support from the community, whether you wish to make a donation, or become a volunteer and work hands-on. Learn more HERE.

Youth volunteers repair nets for upcoming broodstock collection.

A youth volunteer clears debris from the bottom of the rearing pond which houses approximately 5000 coho salmon fry.

Volunteers repair nets which are used to catch salmon in stream for broodstock.

Rodney Lee is leading a group who will be involved in an upcoming spawner survey in Hoy Creek.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society cancels all public activities

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has cancelled all Saturday work sessions, all in-person meetings and hatchery tours or open houses until further notice.

Updates will be provided on the Society website and the Society Facebook page when there is certainty as to whether our Salmon Leave Home event and our annual general meeting will go ahead or be cancelled.

Please note that we are still seeking nominations for directors, vice president, and secretary. If you are interested in putting your name forward or want to nominate someone else (with their approval), please email your nomination to hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com.

Feel free to also email us with any questions or concerns.

Stay safe, and enjoy the watershed!

Robbin Whachell
President,
Hoy/Scott Watershed Society

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society Loses Founding Member

Chris Hamming in 2018 during Salmon Come Home.

Our society is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our founding members, Chris Hamming who passed away this month. Chris was a beloved retired school teacher and salmon educator; and a hard-working volunteer of not only the Hoy Creek Hatchery but Tynehead Hatchery as well. Chris also volunteered for many years at Science World.

In 2018 the Society honoured Chris for his many years of service. The photo above was taken during Salmon Come Home in 2018.

“Chris was such an extraordinary person,” said Keith Kozak, founding member of the Society. “His energies, inspiration, and dedication to his passions, and teaching was something to be admired. Chris was an invaluable resource for the formation of HSWS. When I was president, and our group decided to officially form a society, the time and numerous meetings with Chris for his feedback were extremely vital to our agenda.”

“I am sure that all Hoy members who knew Chris will miss his warm smile and positive attitude,” said founding member Linda Gorsline who now lives in Ontario. “He was a natural teacher, a lover of nature and was always interested in the opinions and ideas of others. He was always willing to help in Hoy projects. I am sad to know he has left us, but will always have happy memories of him and I am very pleased that I was lucky to know him.”

"Chris was one of the original members that encouraged me to get involved," said Tim Tyler, a former HSWS president. "He led with that smile and by doing, and was a pleasure to deal with: funny, enthusiastic, practical, optimistic and always willing to ‘lift his end of the log’ so to speak. A runner and rower, it was not widely known that as an educator he was also involved in the Science Fair on a regular basis. He was one of the good ones and his passing is a loss to us all. My condolences to his family."

His memorial service was held at Tapestry Mundy Park Church in Coquitlam on June 5. Hoy-Scott Watershed Society president Robbin Whachell spoke on behalf of the society. Read her remarks here.

Chris Hamming was knows as the “Salmon Educator” (seen here in 2015 at Salmon Come Home)

Chris being interviewed on radio in 2015.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society Announces 2019 Executive

Voted in from left to right: Lilian Elliott, Director; Robbin Whachell, President; Lani Lehun, Director; and Sandra Uno, Director. The four join the existing executive already serving terms: Rodney Lee, Vice President & Hatchery Manager; Emily Rossi, Secretary; and Kyle Uno, Treasurer.

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held an annual general meeting on May 15, 2019 at the Coquitlam City Centre library.

Congratulations to the new and returning executive. Voted in was:

President - Robbin Whachell
Director - Lilian Elliott
Director - Sandra Uno
Director - Lani Lehun

The fore-mentioned join existing executive already serving terms: Rodney Lee, Vice President/Hatchery Manager; Emily Rossi, Secretary; and Kyle Uno, Treasurer.

"Our team of dedicated volunteers are to be commended for their time spent in keeping this Society progressing in our initiatives,” said re-elected president Robbin Whachell.  “This is not the time to take things lightly when it comes to our salmon. As a city grows, the environment must be at the top of our priorities.”

The Society is always seeking new membership and assistance. To get involved check our sign up page; or email hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a year-round salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. We are actively involved in watershed restoration, public awareness, education, and preservation. Find us on Facebook.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society acknowledged at City environmental awards

Members of Hoy-Scott Watershed Society with their certificate of appreciation pose with Hucklebeary at Coquitlam city hall. 

The City of Coquitlam held its fourteenth Environmental Achievement Award celebration on Sunday, June 24 recognizing community volunteers who excel in the areas of conservation, public awareness, environmental education, habitat enhancement and sustainable living.  In addition, the award recipients show initiative and leadership while volunteering for projects that have long-term environmental benefits for the community.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) received a certificate of appreciation for the volunteer work that we do. 

Representing the Society at the event held at City Hall, was the president, Robbin Whachell; director Lani Lehun; past director, Nathen Blower; longtime members Earl and Lilian Elliott; and newcomers, Steven Wang, and Leo Li. 

"It's wonderful to connect with like-minded groups at this annual event and learn about the wonderful things others are doing," said Robbin Whachell. "It's definitely motivation for our team, and, while not everyone was able to attend, they are appreciated. It means a lot to be recognized for the effort we put in." 

Below is a video produced by the City of Coquitlam showcasing local environmental groups. 

For a full list of recipients, check out the City's press release HERE.

Back pond reinforced at Hoy Creek Hatchery

Over a few weeks in May 2018, the back rearing pond  (west of the screened rearing pond) was partially drained and inspected. This has not been done in many years. 

A new liner was added to the pond, and the banks were reinforced with new sandbags. Work sessions took place on Saturday mornings and during the week.

It was discovered that a small channel had formed around the pond's outflow area and salmon were getting confused by it since it didn't lead to the creek. It's all good now - we fixed it! 

What the pond area looks like with most of the water drained. 

Leo and Steven working hard to fill sand bags to secure the pond area. 

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) is a volunteer-run non-profit society that operates a small salmon hatchery beside Hoy Creek and conducts a salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and with technical expertise from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The group stewards the Hoy and Scott Watersheds, promoting public awareness and education, and is involved in watershed habitat restoration and preservation. 

Salmon Come Home to Celebrate 25th Anniversary on October 22

Rodney Lee, hatchery manager for HSWS holds a chum salmon for all to see at a previous Salmon Come Home event.  (City of Coquitlam photo) 

COQUITLAM, BC – Watching salmon fight their way upstream to spawn each fall is an awe-inspiring experience – even after a quarter century.

This year’s Salmon Come Home event at Hoy Creek Hatchery Oct. 22 celebrates 25 years of welcoming the salmon back to their spawning grounds, and educating the public about the lifecycle of salmon and the watershed that supports it.   

Co-hosted by the City of Coquitlam and Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, the free family event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes hatchery tours, music, crafts, environmental displays, food, and children’s activities such as a costume parade and storytelling. 

The highlight is witnessing the return of chum and coho salmon to the creek where they were spawned, after living most of their adult lives at sea. Prime viewing of the returning salmon is from mid-October to early November.

When the festival started in 1992, today’s Hoy-Scott Watershed Society was known as the Hoy-Scott Watershed Streamkeepers and the hatchery did not yet exist. The event was in its fifth year when the hatchery was built in 1997 on the grounds of a former trout-rearing facility on the old Frederick Brewer property. The site was restored in 1995 with help from the City, federal government and volunteers, and the pond that used to rear trout now helps raise salmon.

Salmon educator and HSWS founding member, Chris Hamming. (City of Coquitlam photo) 

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Streamkeepers formed a society in 1992, with an expanded mandate to promote watershed restoration and public awareness of the need to preserve the creek and surrounding habitat. Having met the original goal of rebuilding the coho population, the society extended its focus in 2015 to include chum salmon. 

While Salmon Come Home has evolved and grown over the years – now typically attracting thousands each year – at its heart it has always been a celebration of one of nature’s wonders: the salmon’s annual return to its spawning grounds. 

Those attending on Oct. 22 are advised to dress for the weather. The event runs rain or shine. 

The Hoy Creek Hatchery is in Hoy Creek Linear Park, west of the City Centre Aquatic Complex (Pinetree and Guildford Way), and is a seven-minute walk from the Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain Station.

Visitors can walk in from a variety of locations: from Princess Crescent, from behind Douglas College; from Guildford Way (between Johnson and Pinetree), from Walton Avenue or behind Walton Elementary, or from the foot of Lasalle Place.

Free parking is available at Coquitlam City Hall, Pinetree Community Centre and Douglas College.

For the Google location map, click HERE.
RSVP to the Facebook Event Page.