Oil Spilled into Hoy Creek

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Look closely to see the colours of oil on the surface of the water.

On February 6, at approximately 2:45 p.m., a hatchery volunteer noticed oil on the surface of the water by Hoy Creek Hatchery.

The oil was reported to the City of Coquitlam by Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

The City went out to investigate and reported back to the Society that the source was found by Douglas College staff and drainage crews were deployed.

The City later provided further details:

“Our sewer/drainage crew was working with facility staff from Douglas College yesterday afternoon/evening and reported that multiple private side catch basins (CB) were affected and had fuel/oil leaking into it. Apparently, it was caused by a leak from a dump truck. Absorbent pads were placed at these CBs to control the spill, and a vactor truck was called in to remove the oil from the system. It sounds like they found some oil left in some of the private CBs as well as one public CB. The vactor truck was at Douglas College the day of the spill vactoring out whatever was left in the City-side CB.

The Society was advised that City staff will also check some of the private side CBs to see if there is a need to have those vactored.”

The public is urged to be mindful of storm drains, which are meant for rainwater only, and are not for refuse disposal.  Individuals observing a dumping or a fish kill in our streams, or the presence of any other possible pollutants are encouraged to immediately report the event to the authorities. Contact numbers are provided on our website’s contact page.

CLICK HERE TO READ HOME TIPS FOR HEALTHY STREAMS

HSWS Volunteer Maya Uno Wins REACH Award

Maya in front of Hoy Creek Hatchery ready to lead a tour.

As a part of the 2020 Youth Week, the Tri-Cities held the REACH Awards virtually to recognize those working to significantly empower, celebrate and impact youth in the community. REACH stands for Recognizing Efforts and Achievements across Community and Home, and nominations for this year’s awards were accepted in March and April.

We are pleased to report that Maya Uno of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society won in the youth category. The press release by the City of Coquitlam states that, “Maya Uno, is an active volunteer at Hoy Creek Hatchery’s salmon enhancement program whose dedication sets an example for the hatchery’s other youth volunteers.”

All recipients were congratulated by the mayor of Coquitlam, Richard Stewart.

“Maya is well-deserving of this award,” said HSWS president, Robbin Whachell. “She has been helping the Society since she was 12 years old and will graduate high school this year.”

The following is from our nomination:

For over 7 years, Maya has been actively volunteering at the Hoy Creek Hatchery with the salmon enhancement program. She's led tours of the hatchery for visiting judges of the annual Communities in Bloom competition that the City competes in and leads summer tours for children from schools, daycares, as well as city programs. Maya also sits on the local committee on invasive species. Currently, she's a weekly salmon feeder at the hatchery and is leading the development of a new 'salmon talk' to be provided to children and adults at the society's annual Salmon Come Home event, formerly done by salmon educator, the late Chris Hamming.

Maya led 25 tours over the summer months, continues to assist with weekly hatchery monitoring and fish feeding. She's also assisting in the society's historic record transfer to the City Archives and leading the reorganization of the hatcheries office and supply area. She manned the society's booth at the City's Welcome to Coquitlam event answering questions and educating the public about the society and the watershed. She helped with the annual stream clean in August helping remove trash from Scott Creek. She is currently working on reestablishing the 'Salmon Talk' which she is developing for the next 'Salmon Come Home' event in fall 2020. Maya often helps lead hatchery open houses.

The Society has watched Maya grow up and mature over the past seven years and is extremely proud of the work Maya continues to do. She's setting an example for the other youth members in the group (and our community), and takes it upon herself to show up at monthly Society meetings and provides constructive input which often leading to positive change. She's comfortable speaking to the public during tours or at our Society events or city events. She has a keen interest in sharing her knowledge. 

In 2015, and at the age of 12, Maya was acknowledged for her work with the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society by the City of Coquitlam for her environmental work. That same year Mia organized a half-day field trip for her school class to the Hoy Creek hatchery and watershed, where they learned about the salmon and the enhancement program with hands-on actives. They also learned about invasive and non-invasive plants species and did some planting along Hoy Creek.

Congratulations Maya! We are fortunate to have your support.

(Other articles related to Maya.)

Hatchery Update – The Coho Fry Stage

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Coho fry approximately 5 month old.

Since our last update, a lot has changed, not only with our eggs hatching, alevin emerging and now maturing to swim-up fry but the global pandemic we face.  As a result of COVID-19, Hoy-Scott Watershed Society has made the decision to cancel all Saturday work sessions, all in-person meetings, and hatchery tours or open houses until further notice including our annual Salmon Leave Home event.  

Behind the scenes, our volunteers continue to provide the daily aquaculture care including feeding, filter and equipment/tank cleaning supporting the 2018/2019 broodstock held in our rearing pond and the 2019/2020 swim-up fry that have been transferred from the incubator to our Capilano trough.

Three of our four Coho Salmon trays in the incubator have matured to fry with only a faint reminder on their bellies where a yolk sack once was (from the Alevin lifecycle stage).  These three trays have been transferred to our Capilano trough and all at different times as they each reach their maturity as swim-up fry. As of today, we have almost 8000 fry held in our Capilano trough (on the east side of the hatchery building), and the final incubator tray is just days away from joining the rest as they mature. Our survival rate has been over 99% with this year's collection and we will have almost 14,000 coho salmon.

Fry are ponded and move from the incubation room to the Capilano trough on the east side of the hatchery.

When first ponded, the fry undergo a vital change – it takes some time (between 20-40 mins or more), but they eventually swim-up to the surface to take in air.  Over a period, they will take several surface gulps of air that fill up their swim bladder allowing them to hold a position in the water (i.e. float). As the fry begin to stabilize and adjust to this new environment, we begin to feed them with food for their first time; previously as alevin, they fed off their yolk sacks. 

Our fry along with wild salmon have developed dark bars on their sides by now, called parr marks.  In a natural environment, these bars help them to camouflage with the gravel and blend in with their surroundings to hide from predators like birds.  Coho fry within Hoy creek and other estuaries will be visible if you are to patiently wait and watch long enough in eddies and still pools.

As the weather improves, we find ourselves getting out to complete yard work, clean the exterior of the house, clean the car, among many other activities.  With each of these activities, we should stop and think about where the fertilizer run-off goes, the same about the paint that fell off the fence or house during washing, the soap that removed the grime from the car and even the sand with some murky water that left the driveway bright grey once again.  All of these are pollutants and we must each do our part to ensure these don’t end up in our watershed or elsewhere in the environment. 

Also when taking a walk through the watershed on sunny days, remember how nice it is to be in the cool shade.  Wild salmon in the creek including our hatchery fish rely on shade created from large boulders, overhanging bushes, tree stumps or fallen logs to keep the water cool.  Wooded debris in the creek not only provides shade but food sources and also acts as a natural aerator to keep up the oxygen in the water for the fish to survive. Please remember to leave the branches, logs and creek banks the way they are found to ensure the creek remains stable, healthy and productive with life.

If you have questions or are interested in volunteering with the society, please contact us at hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com. Be sure to check out our Facebook page for more photos of our work and of nature along the watershed.

Trash Removed from Section of Hoy Creek

Ryan, Steven, Larry, Nathen, Kyle, Sandra, Maya and Robbin took part.

On August 26, 2018, volunteer members of the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society took part in an annual creek clean. Late summer is the best time to walk in-stream as it’s the time less likely to disturb fish or eggs.

Each year a section of Hoy or Scott Creek is pre-selected and volunteers walk in the creek, and along it to remove garbage as well as inspect areas that may have been overtaken by invasive species or a dam.

Focusing on Hoy Creek this year, we started at Glen Drive and ended up almost but not quite to Barnet Highway.

Items removed from the creek were: a couch, bicycle, chair, gardening tools, construction wood,  a bag of fish remains, mini barbecue, clothing, a bucket and the usual litter (bottles, cans, food wrappers, cigarettes). 

If you would like to be involved in work such as this, the Society is always looking for new volunteers. Click our “Get Involved” button to learn more or email us at hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society welcomes new directors

left to right is: Arno Hazebroek, Sandra Uno, and Chris Hamming

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held their annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 17th at the Coquitlam Library. It was well attended, and we wish to thanks all those that came out to support our Society.

We are pleased to announce our new directors who will join our executive team.

Seen here after the meeting from left to right is: Arno Hazebroek, Sandra Uno, and Chris Hamming (who is a HSWS founding member).

The directors join Robbin Whachell, President; Rodney Lee, Vice President; Kyle Uno, Treasurer; and Emily Rossi, Secretary to complete the HSWS executive board.

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.  Learn more at our website: hoyscottcreeks.org

Local MLA tours Hoy Creek Hatchery

Jodie Wickens after her tour of the Hoy Creek Hatchery in Coquitlam

On November 29th, Jodie Wickens, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain stopped by for a tour of our facility. Throughout the year we provide tours by special arrangement based on our availability, since we are a volunteer-run society.

Curious about all the things the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society gets up to? Do you want to view our salmon enhancement program and the Hoy Creek Hatchery (seen here)? Want to join us as a volunteer?

We invite you to our next Open House on the first Saturday of everyone month from 12 noon to 1:30pm.

If Saturday is not conducive for you, please email us at hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Hoy / Scott Watershed Society is a non-profit group that runs a small salmon hatchery, and conducts a salmon enhancement program in Coquitlam, BC, Canada

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/

Hatchery Manager Internship / Assistant Hatchery Manager Position Available

Hoy Creek Hatchery is located east of Douglas College David Lam campus in Coquitlam, along Hoy Trail.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society in Coquitlam, B.C. has an internship opening for a fish hatchery manager.

The individual will work with current hatchery manager, Rodney Lee as an assistant in managing the hatchery. No previous experience is needed.  This role will act as the manager's backup, and will train in all aspects of managing the hatchery including brood stock collection, egg takes, equipment operation and maintenance, egg incubation and caring for the alevins and fry. 

Interested persons should provide a brief essay stating your interest, previous experience (if any) and why you'd like this role. 

Time commitment: Late September to end June.  Hours vary but would typically require at least 3 hours every Saturday morning through the season.  This commitment will coincide with our season where we capture broodstock all the way through until the fry are marked (adipose clipped) and can be transferred across to the rearing pond.  The commitment ends with season ending equipment cleaning.

Communication: Needs to be available by cell phone and text message as a primary means of communication.  Email is secondary.

What will the intern do?:
- Learn how the hatchery operates
- Learn how to start-up and maintain equipment
- Learn about salmon and primarily the 2 species we will be incubating - Chum and Coho
- Learn about and conduct the egg take and fertilization process.
- Learn about and maintain biosecurity protocol for the facility.
- Assist with weekly and season maintenance activities
- Assist with the care and feeding of all generations of fish
- Assist with fish length and weight sampling including started fish health calculations
- Assist with taking water quality measurements
- Assist with operation of the rearing pond including the operation of the lower pond and outlet weir.
- Learn about aquaculture in the context of the Salmon Enhancement Program through Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
- Assist with planning and execution of fish marking (adipose clipping).
- Assist with transport and release of surplus Coho fry to Upper Hoy and Upper Scott if necessary.
- Help with riparian restoration by removing invasive plants (maintain sites that have been recently restored) - optional.
- Assist at our public events: Salmon Come Home (October); Salmon Leave Home (May)
- Act as the backup for Rodney in terms of managing the hatchery once trained.

Please email Rodney Lee with questions or to state your interest in this role: rodneyclee@gmail.com

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.  Learn more at our website: hoyscottcreeks.org