Fish kill in Scott Creek reported

Photo: Robbin Whachell / HSWS

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

HSWS volunteers walk Hoy Creek in annual cleanup

Ryan, Kyle, Nathen, and Chris with the trash hauled from Hoy Creek

Every summer, usually in August, the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society cleans a section of either Hoy Creek and/or Scott Creek. It's the safest time of year to walk in stream without disturbing fish and eggs.

On August 10th we spent 4 hours walking along Hoy Creek clearing out garbage, starting downstream from Pinewood Street and ending just south of Guildford Way. This area was cleared two years ago, so trash was not as heavy, but a good haul was removed, as you can see from our photo.

The 'creek crawl' as we like to call it, can be hard going in places as sometimes we crouch to move under bridges, or climb over fallen trees. It's a good time for us to assess (and clear) heavy invasive species areas blocking the stream, and check for any wind fall blockages which could restrain the returning salmon from making their way upstream in the fall.

Thanks to Chris, Ryan, Kyle, Nathen, and Robbin for a job well done!

See more photos on our Facebook album.

Hoy-Scott Watershed volunteers clean trash in Hoy Creek during the summer

HSWS Host Judges for "Communities in Bloom"

Communities in Bloom judges with HSWS members. Left to right: Emily Rossi, HSWS; judge Richard Daigneault; Robbin Whachell, HSWS; and judge Stan Kochanoff

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society members hosted the "Communities in Bloom" judges on July 20, 2016 at the Hoy Creek Hatchery.

Thank you judges Richard Daigneault and Stan Kochanoff for stopping by!

Not only is a healthy watershed important for healthy fish, a watershed enhances the surrounding community, and offers a wonderful sanctuary for residents to enjoy the benefits of nature.

The City of Coquitlam - Municipality qualified for the nationals in the annual civic pride and beautification competition this year after achieving the top “five bloom” ranking at the provincial level in 2015.

We look forward to the favourable results!

English ivy removal on private property adjacent to Scott Creek

Bags of invasive English ivy (Photo: Dulce Paulino)

On July 23rd, 2016, volunteers of Hoy-Scott Watershed Society worked with homeowners on lower Scott Creek to remove English ivy from their property which is adjacent to the creek.

This work was in collaboration with the homeowner's, the Society, as well as the City of Coquitlam who provided support in terms of garbage bags, disposal, and a site planting prescription. Native plants were also provided by the City for placement on the municipal property.

22 bags of ivy were removed.

Thanks goes out to Friendship Church who graciously allowed use of their parking lot for our volunteers.

See more photos in our Facebook Album

Municipal property in Coquitlam adjacent to Scott Creek covered in English ivy (Photo: Dulce Paulino)

Brood transfer and summer cleanup at Hoy Creek Hatchery

Volunteers clean and disinfect equipment in the Capilano trough room at the Hoy Creek Hatchery

On Saturday, June 25th volunteers with the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, under the guidance of hatchery manager, Rodney Lee, moved the coho salmon brood from the Capilano trough room over to the outdoor rearing pond adjacent to Hoy Creek.

After the transfer of over 6000 fry, members cleaned all equipment in the trough room, which will not be used again until brood intake in the fall. The Capilano trough will remain empty until early next year.

Both incubation areas were also cleaned and disinfected so they are ready for brood intake this fall / winter. 2016 will mark the first year of the intake of chum salmon, along with coho.

We invite the community to come by and take a peek through the fencing on our rearing pond to see the salmon, which are usually visible on clear weather days.  The fish are fed daily before 10am. Feel free to stop by and ask questions of our volunteers.

See our Photo Album from this exercise on Facebook HERE.

Volunteers Earl, Maurice, and Ed clean the automated feeders

The fish are now living in the rearing pond adjacent to Hoy Creek. They are seen below in this video.  See more photos of our rearing pond HERE.

Volunteers clean charcoal by hand in a wheel barrow. The charcoal is used for the filtration system for the Capilano trough.

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.

Over 6000 coho fry marked at Hoy Creek Hatchery

A HSWS volunteer carefully clips the adipose fin of a sedated coho fry

On June 21st, 2016 the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society conducted another successful fin-clipping exercise with over 6000 young coho salmon which had been thriving in the Capilano trough room of the hatchery located on Hoy Creek since approximately December 2015.

"This was our third year of doing the fin clip exercise to identify our fish as 'hatchery' salmon," said hatchery manager, Rodney Lee. The fish are first sedated, and then the adipose-fin (small top back fin) is carefully snipped off. The entire operation is overseen by the Department of Fisheries.

"We clipped over 6000 fry in two hours thanks to our volunteers," said Rodney. "The fish recover quickly and will be moved to our rearing pond in a few days, where they will live until their release next May. They will then head out to the ocean, and when they return, this is our way of identifying them."

Volunteers work diligently,  and quickly clipping and counting coho fry

View our entire PHOTO ALBUM on Facebook HERE.

Under the supervision of the Department of Fisheries, Hoy Creek Hatchery held another successful fin-clip exercise of over 6000 coho on June 21st.

Long-serving HSWS member acknowledged at Coquitlam Environmental Achievement Awards

Some of our current members in attendance from left to right: Chris Hamming, Ducle Paulino, Lilian Elliott, Robbin Whachell, Kyle Uno and Nathen Blower. (Photo: Ed Paulino / HSWS)

On June 11th the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society attended the annual awards night put on by the City of Coquitlam at Dogwood Pavillion to honour and thank local groups and recognize individuals, organizations and educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to promoting, conserving and enhancing Coquitlam’s natural environment.

It was an extra special evening for us as our one or of society's longest-serving members, EARL ELLIOTT (Seen below, right), was honoured in the individual category. Earl happened to be out of town on a kayaking trip, but his wife Lilian accepted on his behalf.

Earl Elliott joined the Hoy Scott Watershed Society in November 2006, starting as one of our daily feeders, which he still continues to this day.  Earl is a conscientious and committed volunteer and is always there to lend a hand where needed. He participates and helps out at our annual Salmon Come Home and Salmon Leave Home Festivals, our annual stream clean ups, as well as assists with our invasive plant removals and hatchery maintenance, now contributing close to 1000 man hours.

Lilian Elliott accepted her husband Earl's award certificate on his behalf.

In 2012, the Society was at a crossroads, with a decline in volunteers and/or those retiring from active service.  Earl stepped up and assumed the Vice President role, as well as assisted hatchery manager, Rodney Lee, in a new weekly public engagement activity that boosted membership and commitment levels.  Without Earl’s commitment and active role in operations, the Hoy-Scott Creek Watershed Society might not exist today. He even recruited his wife, Lilian to join the Society, and they are a solid fixture at meetings and events. Thank you Earl!

As always the city put on a lovely evening full of great food, fun environment-themed trivia, and there were lots of special guests and raffle prizes.

A big THANK YOU to Ed Paulino for taking these photos to capture our night.
See MORE PHOTOS on our Facebook album.

The two Hoy-Scott Watershed Society tables 9 and 10. (Photo: Ed Paulino / HSWS)

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society releases surplus salmon fry

A Hoy-Scott Watershed Society volunteer releases surplus coho fry into upper Scott Creek (Photo: Ed Paulino / HSWS)

In May 2016, we had approximately 19,000 coho fry at Hoy Creek Hatchery.  Hoy-Scott Watershed Society's annual aquaculture license with federal fisheries allows us to incubate up to 25,000 eggs but only release 5,000 1-year-old Coho smolts from that brood year in May.  

Any excess are released to the Upper Hoy and Scott Creeks to areas of the stream where wild fry are not present. In addition, fry are released to Pinnacle Pond. From those locations, the Coho fry can make use of the habitat, grow and eventually make their way out to the ocean to complete their lifecycle.

On May 23rd, HSWS volunteers (Rodney, Chris F, Alex, Dulce & Ed) weighed and counted out our surplus and loaded up the truck for transport and released them at 5 different locations.  The fry weighed approximately 1.3 grams and were about 5 months old.

Hatchery manager, Rodney Lee looks over his son releasing surplus salmon into the creek on May 23rd in Coquitlam.  (Photo: Ed Paulino / HSWS)

While at these release sites, we observed some larger trout with the smallest being 4-5" and the largest 6-7" but no small fry were present. We also saw a black bear.

The locations we released the surplus coho fry to on Monday, May 23rd were:

Upper Hoy - Camelback Ct off of Plateau; Upper Scott - Panorama by Bramblewood; Upper Hoy - by Plateau Village at Johnson and Plateau; Upper Scott - Hydro pond at the top of Eagle Mountain Drive; and Pinnacle Pond.

Dulce releases surplus salmon into Scott Creek(Photo: Ed Paulino)

Once our remaining fry grow to 2 -3 grams they will be ready for marking, and will have their adipose fins clipped to identify them as hatchery fish. Our hatchery fry continue to be hand fed twice per day.

See MORE PHOTOS from the release on our Facebook album.

This healthy looking black bear was spotted by our team beside Pinnacle Pond, Coquitlam (Photo: Ed Paulino / HSWS)

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society Elects New Executive Board

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held our annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 18th at the Coquitlam library.

Elections took place and nominations for president, vice-president, secretary, and directors were put forth.

We are pleased to announce our new executive board:

President - Robbin Whachell
Vice President - Rodney Lee
Secretary - Emily Rossi
Directors:  Nathen Blower, Chris Hamming and Shannon Kyne.

Our Treasurer position was not up and is held by Kyle Uno.

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.