Hoy/Scott Watershed Society Featured in Virtual Watershed Tour

Thanks to the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable (CRWR) and their Virtual Watershed Tour held in honour Rivers Day on Sept 27, Hoy Creek Hatchery, and the work of volunteers of the Hoy/Scott Watershed were highlighted. Featured in the video is Society president, Robbin Whachell, and Society VP and hatchery manager, Tyler Storogaard.

The film premiere promotion states, ”One of the best ways of emoting concerns for the watershed is by getting out and forming a connection with it. In the past, the Roundtable has been proud to host tours of the Lower Coquitlam River Watershed in an effort to strengthen community bonds to the land. In the face of COVID, we have had to change the way we deliver our public programming to maintain a safe physical distance. So, this year our Coordinator, Sharee Dobowits visited eight great spots in the watershed and had the tour filmed so that viewers can check out the sites on their own. Each stop features a local expert who touches on the work s/he does, conservation concerns for the area and how you can get involved! A huge thank you to the production partners, ArtsConnect, Tri-City Community Television and Babylon Film Studios and sponsors, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Lehigh Hanson Materials Ltd. for making this project possible!“

Watch the other seven videos on the CRWR Youtube page.

Society President Named Community Champion

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society president Robbin Whachell was recognized by a local member of parliament as a ‘Community Champion’ in September 2020.

"My annual award program, Community Champions recognizes the dedicated leaders and community volunteers in Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam who work hard to build and better our community,” said Ron McKinnon Member of Parliament for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam. “There are so many unsung heroes in Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam that make a difference in our lives every day."

McKinnon’s presentation stated, “Robbin Whachell is the president of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society and a passionate environmental steward I was fortunate to tour Hoy Creek at the beginning of the year and hear firsthand about the amazing work being down by Robbin and the team under her leadership.”

A Zoom party was held on Sept. 2 for McKinnon to congratulate his selection of 2020 Community Champions.

Robbin responded with, “I’d like to thank Ron McKinnon for this honour. I’m humbled and know that I stand with many other volunteers in my own organization, as well as other community groups or individuals who help make a difference where they live.”

Others named as McKiinnons community champions were Ann Pratt, Polly Krier, Barry Brizza, Deon Feng, Luca Hung, Ravinder Safaya, Jamie Haakons and Keisha Go, as well as Robert Buringi and Carli Travers.

Instead of gathering for a barbecue, dinner was provided to everyone via door delivery by Pantina Brewing & BBQ in Port Coquitlam.

Volunteers clear trash from Hoy and Scott Creeks at Aberdeen Avenue

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Fast food containers were the most common trash items collected.

Our annual summer stream clean was held on Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 and was focussed on Aberdeen Avenue, an area not necessarily noted for close proximity to nature due to it being an industrial area.

in fact, this busy street in Coquitlam has two streams running below it. Both Scott and Hoy Creeks flow under this avenue and converge where the SkyTrain crosses over just south of Aberdeen. Once the two streams converge, they eventually meet the Coquitlam River before joining the Fraser River. The Fraser River flows into the Straight of Georgia (Pacific Ocean), a total distance of 78 km.

In preparation for the work, the Society provided notice to the surrounding businesses. The notice also served to remind on the delicate ecosystem along the street which is often seen dotted with semi-trucks making pickups or deliveries.

View our photo album on Facebook.

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Hoy/Scott Watershed Society volunteers gearing up at the start of the day on Aberdeen Ave.

“Each year we focus on one area of Scott or Hoy Creek as a summer activity,” said Society president, Robbin Whachell. “It’s important that we do this work in the late summer as not to disturb salmon in the creeks. This year, our vice-president, Tyler Storgaard scouted several areas and we agreed this industrial business location would be optimal as we’d not focused work in this area before, and the streets were not marked with storm drain fish decals.”

In less than three hours on each day, the work of HSWS volunteers was evident by the piles of trash removed from the banks of both Scott and Hoy Creeks and along the street between the two streams.

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Kim clearing an area that appeared to be frequented as a lunch and/or smoke-break spot by local workers.

“We also cut back the invasive blackberry, which often grows over and hides the stream,” said Whachell. “We hope that less littering will take place if people see that the creek is just right there, a few meters from where they walk past.”

Some of the most common items picked up during the clean were face masks, cigarette packages, fast food and drink containers, bottles and cans, and small plastic bag packaging for earplugs.

Most unusual finds were toys still in good shape, clothing, bedding, footwear, car parts, a dining tabletop and railing.

View our photo album on Facebook.

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Items removed from Hoy Creek on Aberdeen Ave.

Lani holds up some of her finds from Scott Creek along Aberdeen Ave.

Ririka pounds down a fish marker near a storm drain while Robbin clears rubbish above Scott Creek on Alberdeen ave.

HSWS Participates in Meeting with Fisheries Minister

Zoom screen capture via MP Ron McKinnon’s Facebook page

Invited and organized by Ron McKinnon, MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society participated in a Zoom meeting on August 20 for a conversation on how our government can better support those who keep our waterways - and their inhabitants - thriving and healthy.

Attending the meeting was Hon. Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Mossom Creek Hatchery, Hoy /Scott Watershed Society, Hyde Creek Watershed Society, Maple Creek Streamkeepers, and Watershed Watch Salmon Society.

Attending for HSWS were directors, Anne Woosman and Kim Mayes. The meeting provided the opportunity for local hatcheries or societies to voice their concerns and share information.

Financial assistance for operations and programs at all hatcheries was inferred by the attendees.

Advice/guidelines were asked for infrastructure projects i.e. flood controls, enforcement of regulations, shorelines, and a Code of Practice for managing them.

The government’s, “Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) plays a key role in DFO's work to conserve and manage Pacific salmon stocks. The program's activities aim to rebuild vulnerable salmon stocks, provide harvest opportunities, work with First Nations and coastal communities in economic development, and improve fish habitat to sustain salmon populations.”

Grade 12 Volunteers Recognized

Left to right: Steven, Maiya, and Maya

On July 25, our society recognized the efforts of five of our student volunteers who have been assisting with us for quite some time, one since she was eight years old!

The celebration, organized by Hoy/Scott Watershed Society director, Lani Lehun took place in front of the hatchery and a handful of other HSWS members came out to salute the following before they start their education in college or university this fall:

• Maya Uno

• Steven Wang

• Leo Li

• Maiya Callister

• Calvin Sui

Only three of the students were able to attend as some had already moved away.

What started for most as a way to earn volunteer credit hours at school, has turned into an interest in caring for the environment.

Hatchery manger and HSWS director, Rodney Lee provides comments to the students as HSWS vice president, Tyler Storgaard looks on.

Hatchery manager, Rodney Lee provided the following comments, “Congratulation on high school graduation. It’s a big step to get to this point. But it’s really only the beginning of better things to come.”

“This past season didn’t go fully as expected. I was looking forward to collectively celebrating your graduation and achievements. We came up 3 months short. I will however remember experiences with each one of you that makes me smile or gives me a laugh. Like the work you did at the kid's crafts at our festival, pulling the tangled net through the pool, seeing you handle (or try to handle) adult salmon. “

“You counted bugs, dissected fish carcasses, counted fish, and pulled invasives. These were all good things. As you move on in your lives, I’ll leave you with one thought – as a young adult you may be eager to get to the next thing but as you continue on life’s journey, take a moment to reflect. Enjoy each moment as it occurs. Don’t take anything for granted. Savour each day as it comes because tomorrow can end up being very different from today.“

“It has been my privilege to work with each one of you. I wish you all the success with your future work and studies. And you will always be welcomed out on a Saturday morning!”

The Society would like to thank the Department of Fisheries & Oceans Canada for providing merchandise to present with the certificates.

Volunteer grad ceremony on July 25 at Hoy Creek Hatchery.

See more photos on our Facebook page .

Students interested in volunteering with the society can sign up to volunteer HERE. Saturday work sessions will hopefully recommence in late September.

Paint Reported in Hoy Creek

Photo: Wayne Noble

On June 17, 2020, the Society was alerted to a spill report made by a resident. The substance smelled like and appeared to be white paint. The Society check two spots along the creek between the spill area and the hatchery, as well as hatchery fish, and all appeared well and isolated to the inflow area east of Walton School on Hoy Trail.

The Society was advised that City of Coquitlam staff were dispatched just after 6 p.m. to the spill site. They reported that the spill appeared small, and City staff checked the outfall and pulled the street manholes in an attempt to get a direction of the paint but neither showed colour.

The sweep of the area did not indicate the source. City staff also check the site at the same time the following day (June 18th) for more evidence in case the activity continued but there was no spill identified.

The Society would like to remind Coquitlam residents that storm drains lead directly to our waterways, and everyone should exercise caution when disposing of pollutants, which includes paint.

To report a spill in the creek click here.

CLICK HERE TO READ HOME TIPS FOR HEALTHY STREAMS

New Executive Voted in at HSWS AGM

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To commemorate the new executive, we met at Hoy Creek on the weekend to pose for this group (distanced) photo. Left to right: Anne Woosnam; Tyler Storgaard, Emily Rossi, Kim Mayes, Lani Lehun and Robbin Whachell. Missing from the photo is Kyle Uno, Rodney Lee, and Sandra Uno (see bottom photo).

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society held its annual general meeting on May 20. The meeting, with elections, were held virtually through Zoom conferencing.

Stepping down and thanked after serving 3 terms was secretary Emily Rossi. Rodney Lee was also thanked for his ongoing service and leadership. He stepped down as vice president but both he and Emily remain on the board.

The new vice president is Tyler Storgaard who has also been acting as the assistant hatchery manager since September 2019. Sandra Uno is the new secretary, and new directors are Kim Mayes, Rodney Lee, Lani Lehun, Anne Woosnam, and Emily Rossi.

The newly elected join current executive, treasurer Kyle Uno, and president Robbin Whachell.

Sitting in on the AGM was Member of Parliament for Coquitlam / Port Coquitlam, Ron McKinnon, and coordinator of the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable  Sharee Dubowits.

May 20 AGM over Zoom. HSWS treasurer, Kyle Uno delivers the financial report for the year.

“I’m excited about our continued growth as a Society,” said president Robbin Whachell. “We have moved from strength to strength and this would not be possible without the spirit of this dynamic and extremely motivated group of volunteers.”

While the society is currently not engaging in any group activities due to the pandemic, the fish are being monitored by daily feeders, the hatchery has weekly check-ins by management, and all is being overseen by the Department of Fisheries & Oceans.

Hoy - Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Unable to make the group HSWS executive board photo at the creek in the top photo, here are Rodney Lee (Director), Kyle Uno (Treasurer) and Sandra Uno (Secretary).

No Fanfare for Salmon Leaving Home at Hoy Creek Hatchery

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Hatchery manager, Rodney Lee looks over the channel where the fish were released in a non-traditional manner this year due to COVID-19. No festival took place.

On May 16, a few Hoy/Scott Watershed Society members came out to the Hoy Creek Hatchery to witness the release of the coho smolts.

What has become known as a favourite community affair where children and adults help with releasing the fish with buckets, was kept hushed this year due to COVID-19. A few residents who happened to be out for a walk stood by to observe as hatchery manager Rodney Lee, and assistant hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard released the boards to open the waterway between the rearing pond and Hoy Creek.

Society volunteers see this particular coho brood of approximately 2700 as special because they were the resilient survivors of a major fish kill in May 2019 where thousands of fish in the hatchery and in the creek died of an unknown chemical substance.

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Assistant hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard mans the channel where coho salmon smolts were released to the lower pond, where local residents can be seen peering into.

The weather was wet, which did not help visibility for the onlookers, but our team was able to use a Go-pro for some underwater shots, and once the fish made their way through the back pond and down the metal weir to Hoy Creek, it helped us capture this video for our Youtube page. (see videos below)

Now that our rearing pond has been emptied, it will be cleaned and then refilled to prepare for the transfer of our coho fry (broodstock from winter 2019/20). The fry will first undergo an adipose fin clip to identify them as hatchery fish.

Once in the rearing pond, they will remain there until their release at Salmon Leave Home in May 2021.

“We’d like to thank our dedicated and small group of volunteers,” said Society president, Robbin Whachell. “From our daily feeders to those that helped out during Saturday work sessions to monitor the health of our fish and help maintain the riparian area. We also want to thank our neighours, the public, and the residents who keep a watchful eye over the watershed and alert us and the authorities of anything suspicious or negligent.”

It should be noted that since mid-March and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has cancelled all Saturday work sessions, all in-person meetings and hatchery tours or open houses until further notice.

Check out our Facebook page ‘photos section’ for more images.

Hoy - Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. We are actively involved in watershed restoration, public awareness, education, and preservation.

Surplus Coho Salmon Fry Released by Hoy/Scott Watershed Society

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Hatchery manager, Rodney Lee buckets coho fry for transfer to another location.

In May 2020, Hoy Creek Hatchery held approximately 13,620 coho fry.

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 16, HSWS volunteers Rodney Lee and Tyler Storgaard weighed and counted out our surplus of 8,620 fry and loaded up the truck for transport and released them at 5 different locations. The fry weighed approximately 1.3 grams and are about 5 months old.

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Transfer tub in the back of the truck

The Coquitlam locations where surplus coho fry were released on Saturday were: Upper Hoy Creek at Camelback Ct off of Plateau; Upper Scott Creek at Panorama by Bramblewood; Upper Scott Creek at Tanglewood Lane; Beaver Pond at Scott Creek; Lower Beaver Pond; and Pinnacle Pond.

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.

After clipping they will be transferred to the rearing pond west of the hatchery where they will mature until the Salmon Leave Home event in May 2021.

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The fry weighed approximately 1.3 grams and are about 5 months old.

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Tips on Placing Painted Stones Along Our Trails

Stone in tree along Hoy Trail, Coquitlam

These have been challenging times with the COVID-19 epidemic. The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society appreciates the pressures put on parents and children to remain active, and we have enjoyed spotting many painted stones along the watershed trails which we began noticing around the Easter weekend.

Since then there has been an increase, and we expect to see more and take delight that families are enjoying the forest while leaving a painted stone behind to be marveled upon by the next passerby.

That said we do find concern in the number of stones now being spotted in our creeks. Please enjoy your walks, and also take this opportunity to teach your children about the wonders and fragility of our ecosystem.

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Painted stones and trash collected from Hoy Creek

We’d like to offer a few tips about painted stones that could help our forests and our creek-life:

• Ensure the paint you use is non-toxic

• Do not use glitters or sparkles

• Do not use stickers

• Place your stone away from waterways. (You may have placed your stone along the trail, but someone may toss it into the creek if it’s a ‘stone’s throw away.’)

If we can ensure we’re all doing our best to protect nature, we’ll get twice as much enjoyment from walking our trails and finding these wonderful stones left by unknown and well-intended woodland fairies!

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A stone seen within the creek. This particular stone was removed from a Society volunteer and placed along the trail. It was seen back in the creek two days later.

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Enjoy painting stones, but please think of our fish and our environment. Thank you!