Alex, Tyler, Matt and Thomas of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society took part in a City of Coquitlam Earth Day event on April 22 at Town Centre Park, adjacent to the Inspiration Garden.

A big part of what we do is public education and bringing awareness to the local environment and to the fact that we have salmon-bearing streams in the midst of an urban setting.

The event provided an opportune occasion to highlight the challenges the Society faces, most often caused by man. Things like trash along the trails and in the streams, pollutants being dumped down storm drains, as well as natural challenges like invasive species.

Five-month-old coho fry were also on display providing a glimpse of how precious and fragile this species can be.

The Society would like to thank all of our volunteers who took part and answered questions from the public.

Left to right: Fin Donnelly, MLA, Coquitlam-Burke Mountain; Tyler Storgaard, Hatchery Manager; Matt Djonlic, Coquitlam Councillor; Maya Uno, HSWS volunteer; and Thomas, HSWS volunteer.

On August 22nd, the City of Coquitlam Environmental Services Division reported a salmonid fish kill on August 22nd in Scott Creek of approximately 200 juvenile fish.

"This was most likely due to extreme heat, (30 C plus degrees) experienced last week in combination of the introduction of fire foam and contaminants to the creek through the storm sewer as a result of a large multiple vehicle fire on August 19th in the area of Lansdowne and Charter Hall," said the notice advising the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society. The notice also stated, "The condition of the fish indicated they had been dead for several days, and the location was along Scott Creek from Eagleridge Drive to Guildford."

"Not all pollutants entering the storm drain are intentional, but they still kill fish," said Rodney Lee of the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society. "Research has indicated that contaminants from roadways (e.g. wiper fluid, automotive fluids, brake dust etc) kill fish. Individuals may occasionally, deliberately dispose of contaminants like paint, concrete wash water etc into a storm drain which also kill fish. However, this occurs less frequently as the public has become knowledgeable about acceptable waste disposal practices. It's quite possible that the combination of products used to fight fires (pollutants), low water levels (pollutants stay in the water longer) and high stream temperatures (reduce dissolved oxygen levels in the stream causing stress on fish and reduce their ability to cope with poorer water quality) all contributed to the fish kill."

The public is encouraged to be mindful of storm drains, which are meant for rainwater, and not for refuse disposal. Individuals observing a fish kill in our streams or the presence of any other possible pollutants are encouraged to immediately report the event to the Fisheries & Oceans Canada "Observe, Record, Report" (ORR) 1-800-465-4336 [Call: 1-800-465-4336] or in Greater Vancouver: 604-607-4186 [Call: 604-607-4186] http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/points/ORR-ONS-eng.html

Society attends Coquitlam Earth Day event

Fish kill in Scott Creek reported