Johnson Street

Fire Foam Suspected Cause of Fishkill in Hoy Creek

HSWS photo

On Sunday, September 15, a member of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society reported a fishkill in Hoy Creek after seeing a foamy substance on the surface of the water and dead young fish in the stream.

The sighting was reported to the authorities.

The City of Coquitlam advised they were investigating.

HSWS photo

On Tuesday, September 17, the City provided the following information to the Society highlighting an incident that took place on Sunday at the City Center Aquatic Complex. Their report stating the following:

  • On Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, a fire rescue incident had occurred in the vicinity of the CCAC parking lot that led to fire foam entering a catch basin and the drainage system leading to Hoy Creek

  • EPW received a report of foam in Hoy Creek around 3pm and that there was evidence of fish kill.

  • The catch basin in the CCAC parking lot was vacuumed out and booms were deployed in 3 locations along Hoy Creek (see map below) to prevent the foam from travelling further downstream.

  • This morning (Monday, Sept. 16), an Environment Officer from the City inspected the CCAC parking lot, the outfall near Guildford Way and Pacific Street, and the water quality pond near Glen Drive and Johnson Street. The officer did not observe any further signs of water quality impact.

Should you see a spill or dead fish in the stream, please contact the authorities. Here's more information on who to reach out to via our Contact page.

Tree Planting and Invasive Species Removal Volunteer Opportunities in Coquitlam

The City of Coquitlam has advised of the following volunteer opportunities as it relates to removal of invasive species and native tree planting:

If you are able to volunteer please see the details below:

Sunday, September 18th – blackberry root removal and native tree/shrub planting. Hoy Creek near Johnson Street and Guildford Way

The City is working with the Lower Mainland Green Team to remove the roots of invasive Himalayan Blackberry along the salmon-bearing creek edge. The area will then be planted with native trees and shrubs to restore it to a functional riparian habitat. If you are interested in this event, you can sign up for either the blackberry removal (in the morning) or the native tree/shrub planting (in the afternoon) or both! Please see the links below to sign up.

Blackberry Removal 9:45am - 12:00pm
http://www.meetup.com/The-Lower-Mainland-Green-Team/events/232900219/

Native tree and shrub planting 12:30pm - 4:00pm
http://www.meetup.com/The-Lower-Mainland-Green-Team/events/232900479/

Sunday, September 25th, 1pm - 4pm: Native tree and shrub planting. Hoy Creek near Johnson Street and Guildford Way

Through a generous grant from the TD Tree Days program, the City is working with TD to plant over 300 native trees and shrubs along the salmon-bearing creek edge in an area previously covered with invasive Himalayan blackberry. If you are interested in this event, you can sign up for it at the link below.

TD Tree Days Event https://www.tdtreedays.com/en-ca/events/539-hoy-creek-at-guildford#.V8n2Nmf2amR

Saturday, October 15th - blackberry root removal and native tree/shrub planting. Hoy Creek near Guildford Way and Pacific Street

The City is working with the Lower Mainland Green Team to remove the roots of invasive Himalayan Blackberry along the salmon-bearing creek edge. The area will then be planted with native trees and shrubs to restore it to a functional riparian habitat. If you are interested in this event, you can sign up for either the blackberry removal (in the morning) or the native tree/shrub planting (in the afternoon) or both! Please see the links below to sign up.

Blackberry Removal 9:45am - 12:00pm
http://www.meetup.com/The-Lower-Mainland-Green-Team/events/232900754/

Native tree and shrub planting12: 30pm - 4:00pm http://www.meetup.com/The-Lower-Mainland-Green-Team/events/232900850/