Storm Drains Marked before Salmon Return

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Society volunteer, Saki helps pound down a decal east of the hatchery. (HSWS photo)

Society volunteers managed to get more area storm drains marked with bright yellow fish decals before the rains of October and the return of salmon to our streams.

Areas of focus were east of the Hoy Creek Hatchery, along Princess Crescent and northward along Town Centre Boulevard south of Douglas College, as well as drains along Lansdowne Drive from the Coquitlam Crunch Trail down to Guildford Drive.

It is important to note that the water that goes into a storm drain doesn't get processed through a sewage system like household water does, but goes directly into our waterways. Marking our storm drains is an opportunity to help educate the public and to draw attention to having clean streams that help keep our fish safe.

In previous years yellow fish were stenciled on with paint near storm drains, but the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society volunteers use a new method with supplies provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Bright-yellow sticky peel-off decal fish are pounded into place with a rubber hammer.

Please be mindful - everything entering a storm drain ends up in a creek. Creeks contain aquatic life that can’t survive pollution being dumped into the habitat. As members of the public, we all have a duty to steward and protect the environment that we live in. Should you witness any suspected pollution being dumped into a storm drain, please take immediate action to report it to the authorities:

• City of Coquitlam Engineering 24-hour emergency (Municipal): 604-927-3500

• Observe, Record, Report (Federal): 1-800-465-4336

• Report all poachers and polluters (Provincial): 1-877-952-RAPP

Freshly marked for the return of the rain. (HSWS photo)

Fish don’t smoke! We’re always surprised at how many cigarette butts we see next to storm drains. (HSWS Photo)

Salmon Released by the Public at Hoy Creek Hatchery

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A girl releases a Coho smolt into Hoy Creek at Salmon Leave Home at Hoy Creek Hatchery. (HSWS Photo)

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) held its annual Salmon Leave Home event on May 14, and was pleased to return to a public release of the approximately 18-month-old Coho smolts that have been living in the outdoor rearing pond since last May. This was the first time since 2019 that the public was able to assist with the salmon release, due to the pandemic.

The Society moved the event time to the afternoon to give families time to celebrate Mom (it was Mother’s Day). Weather conditions were hot with a high of 32C, but despite that, a steady stream of people came through the Hoy Creek Hatchery area. To the delight of many, wild Coho fry were visible from the footbridge.

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The community had the opportunity to carry a bucket of Coho smolts to Hoy Creek for release; take a peek at the six-month-old Coho fry in the hatchery’s Capilano trough room; meet the volunteers and learn about the Society; make a Mother's Day greeting card using leaves; play the Plinko game and get salmon past predators to saltwater safety; sign a Farewell to the Coho Grads of 2023 card; sign a pledge to protect the salmon; and explore Hoy Creek Linear Park.

After a Land Acknowledgement by HSWS president, Kyle Uno, the MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, Fin Donnelly provided a few words before Kyle presented Keith Kozak, the Society’s first president, with a certificate of appreciation and a gift. Keith spoke about the early years of getting the Society up and running.

The event was supported by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with Isaac Nelson overseeing the fish release.

The Society would like to thank all its volunteers for the time spent supporting the event, and the community who came out to help. A special thank you to the event sponsor, the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program!

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Salmon Leave Home 2023 'unofficial' photo: Thanks to our HSWS volunteers who were manning our areas of the event so that some of us could gather for a group photo with our special guests.

Back row, left to right: Tyler Storgaard, Isaac Nelson (DFO), Hannah Tonsaker; Matthew Watts; Henrietta Hamming (wife of the late Chris Hamming, HSWS founder); Robbin Whachell; Keith Kozak (founding member/HSWS first president); and Rodney Lee.

Front row, Fin Donnelly, MLA; and Kyle Uno, current HSWS president.

Trash collected from Hoy and Scott Creeks and adjacent trails

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Three of the four volunteers out on Aug. 20 at Runnel Drive. Left to right: Matthew Watts, Anne W., and Tyler Storgaard. (HSWS photo)

Volunteer work at the hatchery during the summer turns to focus on the riparian area and clean streams. It’s an optimal time of year to mark storm drains as well. It’s also a key time to review the creek system and look for jams which are often a mix of large trash items and fallen tree debris that could hinder salmon passage.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society was out several times in August and early September working along Hoy Creek in Coquitlam at various locations. In total, nine large contractor bags of trash were removed, along with other large items, such as a bed frame and car muffler.

On August 20th, the area of the stream at Runnel Drive near Lansdowne was the focus. Collected were lots of loose plastics and fast food containers, as well as price tags. A baby playpen was pulled from the creek, along with construction signage, toys, clothes, needles and packaging. Four volunteers collected four large bags of trash that were removed in less than two hours. View more photos of the Runnel clean on our Facebook album.

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Trash removed adjacent to the stream at Lansdowne and Runnel. (HSWS photo)

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Matthew and Tyler unload bags of trash from truck into the wheel barrel after the Aug. 20 stream clean. (HSWS photo)

On Sept. 3 we worked on a section of Hoy Creek behind Mr. Lube. Three volunteers collected three large bags of trash in two hours. Wooden pallets, a muffler, and several two-by-fours were pulled from Hoy Creek just north of the Barnet Highway bridge. The rubbish haul included many clothing items, books, price tags, needles, stuffed animals, cans, bottles, face masks, and general plastic fast food carton waste.

View more photos on our Facebook page.

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Sofia and Anne stand in front just some of the trash removed in two hours along Hoy Creek, behind Mr. Lube in Coquitlam.

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Robbin Whachell stands in Hoy Creek to break up debris and remove trash.

Hoy and Scott Creeks Get a Clean at Two Busy Locations

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Near the trailhead at Scott Creek Linear Park, before the team split up into two groups.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society volunteers were out in good number on Sept. 5, so we were able to clean along two Coquitlam streets.

It was a return visit to Scott Creek Linear Park (off Runnel) after a two-year gap, but the crew was able to get a good haul of trash and remove the remains of a homeless camp.

Over at Aberdeen Ave., the crew working there were surprised to see the amount of trash since it had only been one year since the last clean in the area.

“It always amazes us to see the amount of trash being dumped in our parks and streams,” said society president, Robbin Whachell. “It’s rewarding to come out as a group to alleviate what we can.”

The stream clean exercise is conducted annually prior to the fall rains and return of the salmon.

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The haul on Aberdeen Ave, Coquitlam.

The City of Coquitlam supported the exercise by having a truck and driver available between both sites for a quick collection of the rubbish.

The haul included a foot soaker, various car parts, part of a bike, a scooter, a ski, a license plate, a pitchfork, a bed frame, garden hose, rope, plastic storage container, ceramics, syringes, carpeting and underlay, a rug, a quilt, clothing, a cooking pot and pan, and the usual fast-food containers. Face masks and cigarettes were the most common item.

The team plans to return to Runnel to get a mattress out of Scott Creek which was well up from the road, and a shopping cart and dresser out of the tunnel below Runnel in Hoy Creek.

View our Facebook photo album.

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Volunteers and part of the haul from Runnel Drive.

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Mattress in Hoy Creek south of Aberdeen.

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Carpet from the Scott Creek Linear Park.

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.

HSWS Salutes our Dedicated Volunteers!

Spring 2020 riparian work

April 19 through 25 is National Volunteer Week in Canada, and we would like to take this time to thank our dedicated volunteers who make up our Society. 

We come together to make our community and our environment a better place.

From our daily feeders to our youth group and Saturday morning work session members, to those who lead and work administratively; collectively, we all make it happen!

Maya, Earl and Lilian representing HSWS at a Coquitlam city hall event.

Saturday morning youth volunteers in the winter after gathering cuttings to later plant in spring.

Summer 2019 creek clean.

Ririka and Steven mark storm drains with yellow fish in summer 2019.

Broodstock collection 2019/20

Salmon Come Home 2019

Volunteers Clean-up Scott Creek near Runnel Drive

The haul after 2 hours in an along Scott Creek north of Runnel Drive.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society volunteers were out on August 24 for the annual creek clean. This year the focus was Scott Creek, and within two-hours the group was able to remove a sizeable amount of refuse from the urban stream.

The haul consisted mainly of: trash (cans/wrappers/plastics), a Xmas tree, chairs, car and bicycle tires, bike parts, a book, bottles, needles, clothes, bedding, lots of doggy doo bags and more.

“I’m very proud of our group of volunteers,” said society president Robbin Whachell. “Several of whom are new and experiencing Scott Creek for the first time. Our cleanup exercise, which can be discouraging to see the trash, allows us to experience the stream up close and personal.“

“It’s a beautiful time of year, and a safe time for us to walk within the stream without disturbing fish eggs/nests,” said Whachell.

“Although we found a good amount of trash, there were long stretches that appeared unmarred by humans, which was great to see!”

The Society will begin hosting monthly open houses the first Saturday of each month, starting in September. Come by Sept. 7 for a tour and to ask questions. If you’d like to become a volunteer, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more.

Save the date for Salmon Come Home, a family-friendly event hosted by the Society along with the City of Coquitlam. This year the four hour event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 20.

(See more photos in our Facebook album)

Helena removes a bed sheet from the stream. (Scott Creek)

Volunteers collecting trash along Scott Creek north of Runnel Dr.

Volunteers of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society stand near the information sign on Runnel Drive.

Salmon Left Home Thanks to Many Volunteers

Salmon Leave Home 2019 at Hoy Creek Hatchery - Left to right: Pinetree student, Lucas; Elder Beverly and Chief Ed Hall of Kwikwetlem First Nation. (Photo: HSWS)

Mother's Day was extra special this year as we released our coho smolts during an idyllic temperature day on May 12 at the Hoy Creek Hatchery.

Hundreds came out to take part in our Salmon Leave Home event, where 5000 coho smolts found their new home in Hoy Creek. From the creek, the smolts begin their journey to the ocean: Hoy Creek → Scott Creek → Coquitlam River → Fraser River → Strait of Georgia / Pacific Ocean!  

A student volunteer guides a boy in releasing a coho smolt at Salmon Leave Home

The student volunteers of the Pinetree Secondary School Community Club, and our own HSWS student volunteers played a huge part in the success of the event. They helped members hand out buckets of fish, kept the crowds directed to salmon release areas, assisted in safe salmon release, and led Mother’s Day themed plant crafts, as well as provided face-painting throughout the day. Thank you!

Honoured guests, Chief Ed Hall and Elder Beverly of Kwikwetlem First Nation were on hand for opening words and to release our first fish.

Thanks to all that took part in making this day special. Be sure to save the date, and join us in the fall for Salmon Come Home on October 20.

See more photos on our Facebook album.

Salmon Leave Home 2019 at Hoy Creek Hatchery -- THANK YOU Student Volunteers!

HSWS featured in Tri-City News 'Saving our Salmon' (SOS) series

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Thank you for your support, Tri-City News!

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society was quoted in the The Tri-City News on November 16th, 2016, along with other stewardship groups, on how we can all do our part in protecting wild salmon.

"Get to know your watershed. Salmon and their habitat can’t protect themselves - we need to care and advocate for both. Visit a stream, talk to your local stewardship group, and view the fish and habitat. Understand the issues. Monitor and report suspicious activity." - HSWS

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Part 1

We were also featured on November 19th through a site visit by reporter Sarah Payne. Both HSWS president, Robbin Whachell, and vice president and hatchery manager, Rodney Lee were interviewed for the article.

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Hoy-Scott Watershed Society Conducts Successful Monthly Open Houses

[UPDATED: NEW TIMES as of Oct. 2017 is 10 to 11:30 a.m.]

While our volunteers are always open to visits and questions from the public when working at the hatchery or in the riparian area, this year we conducted monthly open houses on the first Saturday of each month. This allows potential volunteers, and the public, a time to learn more about our work, and tour our facility. 

Open houses will not run during the summer (July, August), but will return on Saturday, September 3rd, from 12 noon to 1:30 pm.

You can reach us at hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com to request a tour. Please note that tours are dependent on volunteer availability.